From today's gospel reading: "Then [Jesus] said to the host who invited him, 'When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment. Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.'"

Our students have no means of repaying us for the banquet of education that San Miguel, and each individual educator, provides. As De La Salle reminds us, "With joy, then, say as [St. Paul] does that the greatest cause of your joy in this life is to proclaim the Gospel free of charge, without having it cost anything to those who hear it" (Med. 207.2). So then, how are we repaid, as the gospel indicates?

  • "The very special satisfaction you will have when they grow up and you see [your students] living with justice and piety, keeping free from evil associates, and performing good deeds." (De La Salle, Med. 207.3)
  • "What a consolation for those who have procured the salvation of souls: to see in heaven a great number whom they have helped to obtain the advantage of enjoying so great a happiness! . . . [W]ho will eternally bear witness to the great gratitude they have for so many instructions they received from their teachers, whom they will regard as the cause, after God, of their salvation." (De La Salle, Med. 208.2)
  • "All of them will join their voices to obtain for you a favorable judgment from Jesus Christ, praying him not to delay putting you in possession of the happiness you procured for them by your work and your concern." (De La Salle, Med. 208.3)

For us to ponder and pray on this week: How do we provide the education that allows our students to live in justice, in piety, and doing that which is good for others? How does your work and concern for your students lead them to salvation? How will your instruction be such that your students will ask Christ to bring you to salvation?

Live, Jesus, in our hearts!