Say No to Spiritual Exhibition

November 14, Tuesday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time
Daily Readings: Wisdom 2: 23-3:9; Luke 17: 7-10

What does it mean to say no to a spiritual exhibition? In general, people tend to exhibit their righteousness, good character, beneficial deeds, etc.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus says no to all these exhibitions. For this teaching, Jesus gives the example of a master and a slave. In contrast to the usual teaching, Jesus portrays a master who doesn’t appreciate his servant for being loyal in all his works. Rather, the master asks the slave again to work more. He demands the slave prepare a festive meal for him. Is not the master very rude in treating the slave?

Jesus calls his disciples to focus not on the master but rather on the slave. He must serve the master. He is called to be faithful in all his works. Therefore, the slave in no way can boast of his faithfulness and commitment.

With this, Jesus gives us a teaching that, like that slave, we must say after completing everything that we are just servants who do what is assigned to us.

What is the connection between this and the spiritual exhibition? Just let’s think of ourselves. We boast of ourselves for being righteous, regular in our spiritual duties, committed in our works, etc. But Jesus here too says we are called to be righteous, regular in our spiritual practices, kind, etc.

We must be good. We, like the slave, in no way can boast of ourselves or exhibit ourselves. Say no to spiritual exhibitions.