I will raise up for myself a faithful priest who will act according to my heart and my will, says the Lord (1 Sam 2:35).

 

I will raise up for myself a faithful priest who will act according to my heart and my will, says the Lord (1 Sam 2:35).

Martin was born in present-day Hungary in 316 and died in France in 397. He was a soldier, then a zealous bishop and confessor. He faithfully fulfilled the precepts of the Gospel, sharing his wealth with the needy. He founded the first monastery in the West and developed an effective apostolate among pastors and peasants, for whose benefit he multiplied the creation of rural parishes. Let us celebrate with faith, asking that the wonders of divine grace be renewed in our lives.

First Reading: Titus 1:1-9

Beginning of the letter of Saint Paul to Titus – 1Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to lead God's elect to faith and to the knowledge of the truth of godliness 2which is in the hope of eternal life. God, who does not lie, promised this life long ago 3and at the appointed time he revealed his word through the proclamation entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior. 4To Titus, my true son in the common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Jesus Christ our Savior. 5I left you in Crete to organize what is still lacking and to appoint elders in every city, as I gave you orders: 6everyone must be blameless, the husband of one wife, with believing children, and not accused of being frivolous or unruly. 7For an episcopal officer must be blameless, as a steward appointed by God. Do not be arrogant or quick-tempered, or given to wine, or boisterous, or greedy for dishonest gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, devout, and disciplined, 9 devoted to faithful teaching, so that you may be able to exhort with sound doctrine and refute those who contradict you. – The word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm: 23(24)

Such is the race of those who seek your face, / O Lord, God of Israel.

1. The earth is the Lord’s, and all that is in it, / the world and its inhabitants; / for he established it on the seas, / and established it on the waters. – R.

2. “Who shall ascend the mountain of the Lord, / who shall dwell in his holy dwelling?” / “Who has clean hands and a pure heart, / who does not set his mind on evil. – R.

3. Upon him comes the blessing of the Lord, / and the reward of his God and Savior. / Such is the generation of those who seek him, / and seek the face of the God of Israel.” – R.

Gospel: Luke 17:1-6

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

You will shine like stars in the world, preaching the word of life! (Phil 2:15ff) – R.

Proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ according to Luke – At that time, 1Jesus said to his disciples: “It is inevitable that scandals will happen. But woe to him who causes scandal! 2It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. 3Take heed: if your brother sins, rebuke him. If he repents, forgive him. 4If he sins against you seven times in one day and seven times comes back to you and says, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” 5The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6The Lord replied, “If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.” – Word of salvation.

Reflection:

Three brief messages for the life of the Christian community. Do not scandalize the “little ones,” that is, those who still have a fragile faith. “Scandal” is a Greek word that means “trap,” “snare,” and hence “stumbling block.” Causing scandal is creating division in the community, setting a bad example, and diverting others from the right path. Perhaps this is a reference to the spirit of power and wealth that spreads among brothers and sisters, thus causing discouragement among the poorest. Jesus insists on the need to forgive, without ceasing, the repentant offender. Finally, he invites us to exercise faith. A gift from God, faith needs to be put into practice, based on the power of God and his loving providence in favor of his sons and daughters. Faith, however small, can achieve surprising results.

(Day by Day with the Gospel 2024)