Today's parable may seem a little harsh but it is making a valid and important point. We are being told that our goodness, zeal and generosity are God's gracious gifts to us. We cannot put God under an obligation to us. Granted that truth, those qualities are ours too and they won't go unnoticed. Can you reconcile the little parable in Luke 12:35-37 with today's parable? Is there a contradiction between them?

St. Martin of Tours, whose feast we celebrate to-day, solved any seeming contradiction there may be not by thinking and discussion but by action. Martin lived in the fourth century. He was a soldier. After he was baptised, he founded a monastery and became a priest and then a bishop.

As he lay dying at the age of 81 his bed was surrounded by his grieving people. They begged him not to leave them unprotected against their wolf-like enemies. Like St. Paul, Martin was willing to postpone his departure for the sake of his people. Sulpicious Severus, in his biography of the saint, wrote "Martin was deeply moved by their tears which stirred the life - long sympathy in him that flowed from the heart of God's mercy." Martin said "Lord, if I am still needed by your people I will not refuse the work. Your will be done." Severus' final comment was "Martin is received in everlasting happiness to the embrace of Abraham. Martin, who was poor and humble, goes into heaven a wealthy man."