November 10, St. Leo

I will bless the Lord at all times.-- Psalm 34:2

Mass readings: Wisdom 2:23-3:9 / Luke 17:7-10

No Charge!

I chuckled as I read of a little boy presenting Mum with an ''invoice'' which listed various chores he had completed and the sum she ''owed'' him for his work. His mother smiled, and submitted her own much longer and more extensive list! At the bottom, she wrote: ''NO CHARGE!''

What has God done for me? Created me. Sustains me. Loves me. Died for me. Forgives me. Lives within me . . . .What have I done for God? Have I come close to repaying even one thing He has done for me? Can I even claim to have fulfilled my duty like the servants in today's Gospel? I crumple my list and toss it away. I cry, with the Psalmist: ''How can I repay the Lord for all the good done for me?'' (Ps 116:12).

Prayer: O Lord, forgive me for ever even thinking that You owe me anything.