Unprofitable servants

Sisters and brothers in Christ, in today's first reading, Saint Paul teaches us how to carry ourselves as faithful followers of Christ - "temperate, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, love, and endurance. . . as a model of good deeds in every respect, with integrity in your teaching, dignity, and sound speech."

I agree with my brother deacon, who served at Mass this morning and gave the homily, that today's readings are so appropriate for election day. They remind us of how servants of God and privileged to serve His people ought to act - be they church leaders, government leaders, politicians, etc. - as "unprofitable servants" doing what they are "obliged to do."

Interestingly enough, the Four Marks of the Catholic Church can help us understand the traits of leaders that God desires to lead His people. They are. . . "one" for unity, "holy" for goodness, "catholic" for beauty, and "apostolic" for Truth. However, as you go to the polls to vote for our leaders, let us never forget that we are all called to be servant leaders of God, to love and serve God and one another. That is His great commandment to us.

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Gospel of the Day

Jesus said to the Apostles:

“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.’”