When you have done all you have been commanded

11 NOVEMBER (Lk 17,7-10)

We will understand the Gospel passage placed today for our reflection, if we let ourselves be helped by the revelation that is offered us by the Apostle Paul.

Now in regard to spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be unaware. You know how, when you were pagans, you were constantly attracted and led away to mute idols. Therefore, I tell you that nobody speaking by the spirit of God says, “Jesus be accursed.” And no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the holy Spirit. There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. To one is given through the Spirit the expression of wisdom; to another the expression of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit; to another mighty deeds; to another prophecy; to another discernment of spirits; to another varieties of tongues; to another interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing them individually to each person as he wishes.

As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit. Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it. Some people God has designated in the church to be, first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers; then, mighty deeds; then, gifts of healing, assistance, administration, and varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work mighty deeds? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts. But I shall show you a still more excellent way (Cf. 1Cor 12,1-31).

According to this pure revelation it is God the Father that in the communion of his Holy Spirit and the grace of his Only Son works all in all. We ourselves are a nullity. Even our breathing is a loan of his love. What can we boast about? Nothing. We are nothing and we can be enthused about nothing. If we do something it is through his work. If we do nothing it is due to our own fault, since we do not let Him to be able to work through ourjustice and truth, grace and holiness toward man. It is urgent to possess the fullness of the revelation that frees from any presumption.

“Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here immediately and take your place at table’? Would he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink. You may eat and drink when I am finished’? Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded? So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.'”

We are unpretentious servants of God, without any rights. We are in the exclusive service of the divine will. He commands and we obey. He speaksand we listen. He orders and we execute. His Word is the one and only law of our life. Nothing is due us. Everything is most pure gift, most pure grace and free outpouring of love and mercy. Can we attribute us any merit if everything is from Him?

By ourselves we are all like an empty sack. If the Lord carries with it gold, silver, precious things, it is he who puts these goods in it. So if he also needs the sack to carry other material it is always he who disposes as he best pleases. Everything is from the wisdom of the Father. Nothing is from our intelligence and wisdom. Nothing from our will. By ourselves we can only fill us with sin. We can do nothing else. Instead the Lord comes and fills us with his precious divine gifts. It is he that transforms our futility into utility, our nothingness into everything, our poverty into heavenly and divine wealth. But this is only the work of his love. We are asked only to let us be used as He pleases. For ourselves, by ourselves, we are a nullity.

Virgin Mary, Mother of the Redemption, Angels and Saints teach us the perfect humility.