Friday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time
“Because of the grace given me by God.” (Romans 15:15b)
St. Paul speaks not from pride but from gratitude. He knows that everything fruitful in his life—his preaching, his perseverance, his hope—comes from grace. He is not the source of his strength; he is its steward. “Because of the grace given me by God.” These words hold the humility of one who knows himself loved and sustained by God.
Grace is never earned. It arrives like morning light—quiet, unbidden, sufficient. We may resist it, misunderstand it, or even take it for granted. Yet, it continues to shine through the cracks of our humanity.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the story of a shrewd steward, who is praised not for his purity but for his prudence. Even with our imperfect motives, grace finds a way to work. It is God’s art to make something beautiful from the raw material of our hearts.
For the Journey:
Let us live today with the awareness of grace that moves within us. May gratitude replace our self-concern, and humility guide our service.
Reflection by Br. Luke Kral, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections