Celebrating St Frances Xavier Cabrini

Tit. 2:1-8.11-14, Lk. 17:7-10. Given the social conditions of the time of Jesus, servants would hardly expect praise for carrying out orders. In today's Gospel, Jesus applies this reality to our service to God. Jesus sees our service in the same light because we are product of divine grace. Divine grace enables us to work for Christ. That is why mere accomplishment of our duties do not attract extra favour from God. No matter the extent of our service, we can never adequately repay God. There is no reason to ask for greater reward from God because our life is a gratuitous gift from Him. After having done our duty most faithfully, with commitment and sense of self-surrender, we can only pray for God's mercy and compassion.

In the first reading, Paul prays for such grace to enable the new community of faith to be transform in every sphere of their life. Paul provides basic moral teaching that could transform even the most immoral Gentile. He enjoins us to "be reserved, dignified, moderate, sound in faith and love, sensible, chaste and be gentle, so that the message of God is never disgraced". Through the divine grace, St Frances Xavier Cabrini (1850 - 1917) spread the devotion to the Heart of Jesus by spiritual and corporal works of mercy. She was born in Lombardy, the youngest of thirteen children. Due to her frail health she was refused admission to two convents. She devoted herself to teaching and founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, running homes for the old and the sick, orphanages and schools.

May the Lord come to our aid, so that our work may never be in vain! Amen!! Good morning and have a glorious day!!!