24 October 2018
Optional Memorial of St. Anthony Mary Claret, Bishop
Although a servant is called to be humble and not find in himself any cause for boasting, nevertheless, he should find great confidence through the Lord whom he serves. Such confidence certainly belonged to St. Paul who described Christ Jesus our Lord as the one “in whom we have boldness of speech and confidence of access through faith in him.” (Ephesians 3:12) Such confidence belonged to Isaiah as well, “God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior.” (Isaiah 12:2)
Perhaps the parable of the abusive servant who is punished in today’s Gospel may be understood in light of misguided boldness. The servant who ceases to look for his master soon forgets his master, and begins to act as if all others are to serve him and are at his disposal. Is it not this diabolical boldness which we see at work in the pride which causes men to lose sight of the God in whose image we are made and thus lose sight of the dignity of one’s neighbor who bears that image? How different is the boldness of St. Paul, the confidence of one who proclaims the works of the Lord, the boldness which builds others up, rather than seeking to rule over them. Let us pray for the confidence which true humility provides, the courage of a heart set on praising our God.