Saint Leo, the Great, pray for us

Readings: 1^st: Ti 2:1-8, 11-14; Ps: 36; Gos: Lk 17:7-10

This brief reflection was written by Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans). He is a missionary in Puerto Rico, the island of enchantment. He is the Chancellor of the Dioceses of Fajardo-Humacao, Puerto Rico; the Parish Priest of Parroquia la Resurrección del Senor, Canóvanas and the Major Superior of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans), Circumscription of Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic. For more details and comments contact him at:  canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

Today, the Tuesday of the thirty-second week of ordinary time, the Church honors a great saint, Saint Leo the Great, Pope, and Doctor of the Church.

Leo the Great ruled the Church from 440 to 461. As a writer, his name is famous. His sermons, which frequently occur in the Divine Office, belong to the finest and most profound in patristic literature.

The Council of Chalcedon was held under his direction in 451. This Council defined that Christ is one divine person with two natures, divine and human. Leo was also active in matters liturgical.

In today’s gospel, Jesus concluded his speech to his disciples by saying, “When you have done all you have asked to do, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.’”

Through these words, Christ suggests that serving others is a privilege in itself. So, he reminds us of our duty as servants. As servants, we must carry out duty with humility and in the spirit of service.

Furthermore, this brief reading reminds of the saying that “there is dignity in labor” and service. This is, especially when done cheerfully.

Hence, as faithful servants, we must always be ready to serve, not only the Lord but one another charitably. When we do, we should be grateful to God for giving us the opportunity to serve.

As a humble and faithful servant, Leo, the great served the Church well and left a significant mark in the Church’s history. Today we still reap the fruit of his excellent and lasting work through his doctrines.

So, through the intercession of Leo the great, let us ask God to give us a spirit of faithful and humble service.

Saint Leo, the Great, pray for us

Peace be with you all.

Maranatha!