Memorial of St. Martin of Tours, Bishop

Wisdom is the gift of “seeing everything in the light of the last end.” The Rite of Communion is the experience, in the foretaste of celebration, of what that “last end” actually is. It climaxes when the presider lifts the host with the Church’s defiant shout, triumphant even in the face of death: “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” That is our “last end.”  

In Luke 17:7-10, Jesus reminds us that through our baptismal consecration as “kings in the King,” we have abandoned all we have and are to him, and received it back again as stewards to manage in his name. In his interest alone. Only according to his will.  

Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding,  

and my entire will—all that I have and possess.  

You have given everything to me; to you, O Lord, I return it.  

All is yours; dispose of it totally according to your will. 

Give me your love and your grace; this is enough for me.  

According to these terms of service— which we accepted at Baptism and reaffirm at the Presentation of Gifts in every Mass—Jesus is right in saying, “When you have done all you have been commanded to do, say, ‘We are useless servants. We have done no more than our duty!” But he himself doesn’t act like the master in his example. He invites us to sit at his table with him and waits on us as a servant. And commands us to do likewise: 

If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master.  

We should come away from Communion humbled and inspired to serve others as we have been served.  

Initiative: Be conscious in Communion. Rejoice in what it says. 

— Fr. David M. Knight

View today’s Mass readings, Lectionary #492, on the USCCB website here

Fr. David M. Knight (1931-2021) was a priest of the Diocese of Memphis in Tennessee, a prolific writer, and a highly sought after confessor, spiritual director, and retreat master. He authored more than 40 books and hundreds of articles that focus primarily on lay spirituality and life-long spiritual growth.