Wisdom 6:1-11 / Luke 17:11-19
Leaders and other top people who have power and authority may sometimes say that it is lonely at the top.
Well, naturally, of course, when there can only be one person at the top.
But as much as it might be lonely, to be at the apex of power and authority and might, is certainly an enjoyable feeling and some will even crave for it after awhile at the top.
Hence, loneliness may just be a small price to pay to sit at the top.
But yet loneliness can also be a consequence, especially when in order to sit at the top, one resorts to sitting on people.
The 1st reading tells us that power is a gift from the Lord, and for those who hold power and authority, God will probe their acts and scrutinize their intentions.
But we don't have to be necessarily sitting at the top and holding power and authority for God to probe our acts and scrutinize our intentions.
When we forget who is Creator and who is the creature, then we will think that we are God, and that we have power and authority over our own lives, and even on the lives of others.
A creature who separates himself for his Creator will have 2 consequences.
He will be very lonely and he will also be very ungrateful.
Even in the gospel, Jesus stressed that gratefulness and thankfulness must be given to God.
Otherwise we will take all things for granted, even though we may not have much power and authority.