Saint Bernard, Abbot, Doctor
Wednesday of week 20 in Ordinary Time
First reading Judges 9:6-15
In today’s reading from Judges 9:6-15, we are reminded that true greatness does not lie only in fulfilling what is expected of us, but in going beyond — offering more than duty demands. The trees in the parable sought a king, yet the fruitful ones declined, knowing their role was already to nourish others through what they bore. This shows us that each person has gifts entrusted by God, and offering them faithfully is good; but holiness shines most brightly when we give beyond measure, when love pushes us past mere obligation into generosity. The glory of the Christian life is not in doing the minimum, but in imitating Christ who gave Himself fully, even to the Cross. Such self-giving transforms ordinary duty into extraordinary grace, and reveals that the heart shaped by God’s Spirit always seeks to love “to the end” (Jn 13:1). Let’s reflect: Am I content with giving only what is required of me, or am I willing to go beyond duty and offer myself generously in love, as Christ did?
Don Giorgio