Wednesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 475
Lectionary: 475
Brothers and
sisters:
You have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace
that was given to me for your benefit,
namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation,
as I have written briefly earlier.
When you read this
you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,
which was not made known to human beings in other generations
as it has now been revealed
to his holy Apostles and prophets by the Spirit,
that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same Body,
and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel.
Of this I became a minister by the gift of God’s grace
that was granted me in accord with the exercise of his power.
To me, the very least of all the holy ones, this grace was given,
to preach to the Gentiles the inscrutable riches of Christ,
and to bring to light for all what is the plan of the mystery
hidden from ages past in God who created all things,
so that the manifold wisdom of God
might now be made known through the Church
to the principalities and authorities in the heavens.
This was according to the eternal purpose
that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,
in whom we have boldness of speech
and confidence of access through faith in him.
You have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace
that was given to me for your benefit,
namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation,
as I have written briefly earlier.
When you read this
you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,
which was not made known to human beings in other generations
as it has now been revealed
to his holy Apostles and prophets by the Spirit,
that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same Body,
and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel.
Of this I became a minister by the gift of God’s grace
that was granted me in accord with the exercise of his power.
To me, the very least of all the holy ones, this grace was given,
to preach to the Gentiles the inscrutable riches of Christ,
and to bring to light for all what is the plan of the mystery
hidden from ages past in God who created all things,
so that the manifold wisdom of God
might now be made known through the Church
to the principalities and authorities in the heavens.
This was according to the eternal purpose
that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,
in whom we have boldness of speech
and confidence of access through faith in him.
R. (see 3) You will draw water joyfully from the
springs of salvation.
God indeed is my savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water
at the fountain of salvation.
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;
among the nations make known his deeds,
proclaim how exalted is his name.
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement;
let this be known throughout all the earth.
Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,
for great in your midst
is the Holy One of Israel!
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
God indeed is my savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water
at the fountain of salvation.
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;
among the nations make known his deeds,
proclaim how exalted is his name.
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement;
let this be known throughout all the earth.
Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,
for great in your midst
is the Holy One of Israel!
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
Jesus said to his
disciples:
“Be sure of this:
if the master of the house had known the hour
when the thief was coming,
he would not have let his house be broken into.
You also must be prepared,
for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”
Then Peter said,
“Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?”
And the Lord replied,
“Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward
whom the master will put in charge of his servants
to distribute the food allowance at the proper time?
Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so.
Truly, I say to you, he will put him
in charge of all his property.
But if that servant says to himself,
‘My master is delayed in coming,’
and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants,
to eat and drink and get drunk,
then that servant’s master will come
on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour
and will punish the servant severely
and assign him a place with the unfaithful.
That servant who knew his master’s will
but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will
shall be beaten severely;
and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will
but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating
shall be beaten only lightly.
Much will be required of the person entrusted with much,
and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”
“Be sure of this:
if the master of the house had known the hour
when the thief was coming,
he would not have let his house be broken into.
You also must be prepared,
for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”
Then Peter said,
“Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?”
And the Lord replied,
“Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward
whom the master will put in charge of his servants
to distribute the food allowance at the proper time?
Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so.
Truly, I say to you, he will put him
in charge of all his property.
But if that servant says to himself,
‘My master is delayed in coming,’
and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants,
to eat and drink and get drunk,
then that servant’s master will come
on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour
and will punish the servant severely
and assign him a place with the unfaithful.
That servant who knew his master’s will
but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will
shall be beaten severely;
and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will
but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating
shall be beaten only lightly.
Much will be required of the person entrusted with much,
and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”
Meditation: "Who is the faithful and
wise steward?"
What lesson can we
draw from Jesus' parable about a thief in the night and the parable about the
master of the household who surprises his stewards with an unexpected visit?
Both parables confront us with the possibility of losing everything we
presently own and treasure and losing our the future inheritance as
well.
The thief in the
night
Jesus' story (parable) of the thief in the night brings home the necessity for constant watchfulness and being on guard to avert the danger of plunder and destruction, especially under the cover of darkness and secrecy! While no thief would announce his intention in advance, nor the time when he would strike, lack of vigilance would nonetheless invite disaster for those who are unprepared to keep their treasure and their lives secure at all times! The intruder strikes when he is least expected!
Jesus' story (parable) of the thief in the night brings home the necessity for constant watchfulness and being on guard to avert the danger of plunder and destruction, especially under the cover of darkness and secrecy! While no thief would announce his intention in advance, nor the time when he would strike, lack of vigilance would nonetheless invite disaster for those who are unprepared to keep their treasure and their lives secure at all times! The intruder strikes when he is least expected!
What treasure does the
Lord expect us to vigilantly guard in this present life? It is the treasure of
the gifts he has won for us - the gift of salvation purchased by his blood on
the cross which has ransomed us from slavery to sin, Satan,and death - and the
gift of his Holy Spirit who works in and through us to make us a a new creation
refashioned in the image of God. The Father and the Son through the gift of the
Holy Spirit come to make their home with us. But we can ignore their presence,
close our ears to their voice, or reject them through pride and
unfaithfulness.
Satan comes like a
thief in the night to rob us of our faith and to draw us away from God. He
works with the world (that society which is opposed to God) and with our flesh
(our sinful inclinations) to to make us believe that we can find treasure and
happiness apart from God and his will for our lives.
And we can deceive
ourselves by putting off for tomorrow what must be done today. God offers us
grace today to turn away from sin and rebellion. We must not presume that we
can wait for another day. The day of the Lord - when he returns again at the
end of this present world - will come like a thief. We need to be spiritually
alert and watchful at all times. The Lord comes to us - each and every day - to
draw us to himself and to strengthen us in faith, hope, and love.
The faithful and
wise servant
Jesus ends his teaching on watchfulness and vigilance with another parable about a master and his servants (Matthew 24:.45-49). The storyline is similar. There is an element of surprise - the master suddenly returns home unexpectedly, probably from a long journey. He rewards one servant for his faithfulness to his master. He has performed his service dutifully and has done all that the master required of him. He punishes the other servant who behaved wickedly. This servant was not only irresponsible - he was frequently absent from work and spent his master's money by partying (eating and drinking) a lot with his friends. The wicked servant also abused his fellow workers with physical force and violence--probably to make them do the work he was supposed to do for his master. The master not only throws him out of his house (he fires him from his job!). He also throws him into the worst possible place - a prison of no return where there is nothing but torment and misery. Should we be surprised to see the master acting with such swift judgment? He rewards faithfulness with honor, blessing, and promotion, and he punishes unfaithfulness due to lazyness and abuse with demotion, dishonor, and imprisonment.
Jesus ends his teaching on watchfulness and vigilance with another parable about a master and his servants (Matthew 24:.45-49). The storyline is similar. There is an element of surprise - the master suddenly returns home unexpectedly, probably from a long journey. He rewards one servant for his faithfulness to his master. He has performed his service dutifully and has done all that the master required of him. He punishes the other servant who behaved wickedly. This servant was not only irresponsible - he was frequently absent from work and spent his master's money by partying (eating and drinking) a lot with his friends. The wicked servant also abused his fellow workers with physical force and violence--probably to make them do the work he was supposed to do for his master. The master not only throws him out of his house (he fires him from his job!). He also throws him into the worst possible place - a prison of no return where there is nothing but torment and misery. Should we be surprised to see the master acting with such swift judgment? He rewards faithfulness with honor, blessing, and promotion, and he punishes unfaithfulness due to lazyness and abuse with demotion, dishonor, and imprisonment.
The Lord Jesus calls
us to be vigilant in watching for his return and to be ready to meet him when
he calls us to himself. The Lord gives us his Holy Spirit so that we may have
the wisdom, help, and strength we need to turn away from sin to embrace God's
way of love, justice, and holiness. The Lord's warning of judgment causes
dismay for those who are unprepared, but it brings joyful hope to those who
eagerly wait for his return in glory. God's judgment is good news for
those who are ready to meet him. Their reward is God himself, the source of all
truth, beauty, goodness, love and everlasting life.
“Lord Jesus, you have
captured my heart for you. Make it strong in faith, steadfast in hope, and
generous in love that I may seek to please you in all things and bring you
glory. Keep me ever watchful for the coming of your kingdom.”
 It’s So Hard to Get Good Help |
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October 22, 2014.
Wednesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
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Luke 12:39-48
Jesus said to his
disciples: "Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the
hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken
into. You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of
Man will come." Then Peter said, "Lord, is this parable meant for
us or for everyone?" And the Lord replied, "Who, then, is the
faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his
servants to distribute the food allowance at the proper time? Blessed is that
servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so. Truly, I say to you, he
will put him in charge of all his property. But if that servant says to
himself, ´My master is delayed in coming,´ and begins to beat the menservants
and the maidservants, to eat and drink and get drunk, then that servant´s
master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish
him severely and assign him a place with the unfaithful. That servant who
knew his master´s will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with
his will shall be beaten severely; and the servant who was ignorant of his
master´s will but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating shall be
beaten only lightly. Much will be required of the person entrusted with much,
and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more."
Introductory
Prayer: Lord Jesus, my Creator
and Redeemer, everything good comes from you. You are the one source of peace
and happiness. Thank you for bringing me into existence and insuring I
received the inestimable gift of the faith. Thank you for accompanying me in
every moment. I am grateful for your mercy and love and wish to respond more
generously to you in my life.
Petition: Lord, help me to be a faithful and prudent
steward.
1. Wanted:
Faithful and Prudent Stewards: Anyone
who has had a management position knows that one of the riskiest parts of the
job is hiring. Very often, it can seem like rolling dice, especially when
there is a conflict between what’s read in the resume and what’s felt in the
gut. Nevertheless, to make a good hire, you need to have a clear idea of what
you want. The Lord has a simple job description for the stewards he is
looking to bring on. They must be faithful and prudent. In being faithful,
they don’t seek to impose their own vision or desires over his, but rather
serve the Master who has given them their commission. Their will is such that
they are confident in assimilating the desires of their master. They are able
to perceive how to adjust and adapt to the multitude of circumstances that
arises. These stewards are constantly applying the old wristband test,
“WWJD,” i.e., What Would Jesus Do?
2. Tasting One’s
Own Medicine: Having been “hired”
by the master, it would be foolish not to expect to be held accountable for
the trust that he bestows. Nevertheless, the irresponsible steward indulges
his appetites and abuses his authority. The master’s “delay” gives him a
false sense of security. Without the natural brake of his master’s watchful
eye, his pride gets out of control. Yet the master is bound to return, and
the servant eventually experiences the results of his own arrogance: the
taste of his own medicine is bitter indeed. The Lord is inviting us to have a
greater awareness of his constant presence. His absence and “delay” are only
apparent. He is very much present to those who wish to live their God-given
charge with integrity and responsibility. His grace is always available to
those who live their lives in his presence.
3. Management
Styles: The two types of stewards
have very different management styles. One beats the servants; the other
“distributes the food allowance at the proper time.” We all want to be
counted among those faithful and prudent stewards who take good care of those
entrusted to us. Yet at times, the responsibility we have seems more
burdensome than desirable. While the bad steward indulges his passions, the
good steward is in danger of giving into his fatigue and impatience.
Frustration is a distinct possibility when it comes to forming others. If the
Lord died such a cruel death for our salvation, who can measure the value of
a single soul? By contemplating that example, we need to learn to put aside
our petty annoyances and instead be faithful in caring for those entrusted to
us.
Conversation with
Christ: Lord Jesus, you have
given me such great responsibility. I am sorry for the times I have offended
you, and for when I have not lived up to the trust you have bestowed on me. I
promise you that I will strive to reflect your love for those to whom you
have entrusted to my care.
Resolution: When my patience is tested, I will pause and ask
myself, “How does the Lord want me to handle this situation?”
By Father Steven
Reilly, LC
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, LUKE 12:39-48
Ephesians 3:2-12; Psalm 124)
Ephesians 3:2-12; Psalm 124)
KEY VERSE: "Much will be required of the person entrusted with much" (v 48).
READING: Jesus told his disciples a parable about being prepared for his coming, which would occur when they least expected. In his story, a master's servants were waiting for his return from a wedding banquet. Though he was delayed, the prudent servant did not neglect his tasks. In contrast, the wicked servants took advantage of their master's absence by indulging in scandalous behavior, mistreating their fellow "menservants and maidservants" (v 45). They would be severely punished for their misconduct. Jesus reminded his disciples, the future leaders of the Church, that they had received his instructions and were entrusted with a great responsibility. Therefore, they would be held more accountable than those who acted out of ignorance of their "master's will" (v 47).
REFLECTING: Do I pray for the leaders of the Church to be faithful and responsible stewards?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, help me to be diligent in my tasks while awaiting your coming glory.
Optional Memorial of John Paul II, pope
Pope Saint John Paul II, born Karol Józef Wojtyła in Poland, was pope of the Catholic Church from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005. He was the second longest-serving pope in modern history after Pope Pius IX who served for nearly 32 years. In light of "countless requests from every part of the world," Pope Francis approved putting Sts. John Paul II and John XXIII on the church's universal calendar of feast days. Pope John Paul II’s feast day is observed on Oct. 22, the day of his Inaugural Mass as Bishop of Rome. The popular pope is remembered for his charismatic nature, zeal for families, young people and the sick, world travels, and role in the fall of communism in Europe during his 27 year papacy. He is also noted for his promotion of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the new Code of Canon Law. Pope John Paul's homily at his inauguration as pope, stressed "Do not be afraid, Open, I say open wide the doors for Christ." The message became one of the signature statements of his papacy. "Totus Tuus" (Latin meaning "totally yours") was Pope John Paul II's apostolic motto. It expressed his personal Consecration to Mary based on the spiritual approach of Saint Louis de Montfort.
Wednesday 22 October 2014
Pope St John Paul II.
Ephesians 3:2-12. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of
salvation—Isaiah 12:2-6. Luke 12:39-48.
Lord, you constantly invite
us to greater care of others by works of love.
No less insistently, you
tell us that you will come at a time we do not expect to call us to live with
you forever in your heavenly home. If we try to answer your first call, we
shall be ready for your second.
That sounds wonderful; and
it is. Experience however teaches us that by ourselves we can do neither.
Selfishness prompts us to postpone praying, and makes us fearful of giving
ourselves to others. We need your grace, for strength and salvation come only
from you.
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
Love Without Measure
Lord, may I have balance and measure in everything—except in Love.
—St. Josemaría Escrivá
October
22
St. John Paul II
(1920-2005)
St. John Paul II
(1920-2005)
“Open wide the doors to Christ,” urged John Paul II during the
homily at the Mass when he was installed as pope in 1978.
Born in Wadowice, Poland, Karol Jozef Wojtyla had lost his mother, father and older brother before his 21st birthday. Karol’s promising academic career at Krakow’s Jagiellonian University was cut short by the outbreak of World War II. While working in a quarry and a chemical factory, he enrolled in an “underground” seminary in Kraków. Ordained in 1946, he was immediately sent to Rome where he earned a doctorate in theology.
Back in Poland, a short assignment as assistant pastor in a rural parish preceded his very fruitful chaplaincy for university students. Soon he earned a doctorate in philosophy and began teaching that subject at Poland’s University of Lublin.
Communist officials allowed him to be appointed auxiliary bishop of Kraków in 1958, considering him a relatively harmless intellectual. They could not have been more wrong!
He attended all four sessions of Vatican II and contributed especially to its Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World. Appointed as archbishop of Kraków in 1964, he was named a cardinal three years later.
Elected pope in October 1978, he took the name of his short-lived, immediate predecessor. Pope John Paul II was the first non-Italian pope in 455 years. In time, he made pastoral visits to 124 countries, including several with small Christian populations.
He promoted ecumenical and interfaith initiatives, especially the 1986 Day of Prayer for World Peace in Assisi. He visited Rome’s Main Synagogue and the Western Wall in Jerusalem; he also established diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Israel. He improved Catholic-Muslim relations and in 2001 visited a mosque in Damascus, Syria.
The Great Jubilee of the Year 2000, a key event in John Paul’s ministry, was marked by special celebrations in Rome and elsewhere for Catholics and other Christians. Relations with the Orthodox Churches improved considerably during his ministry as pope.
“Christ is the center of the universe and of human history” was the opening line of his 1979 encyclical, Redeemer of the Human Race. In 1995, he described himself to the United Nations General Assembly as “a witness to hope.”
His 1979 visit to Poland encouraged the growth of the Solidarity movement there and the collapse of communism in central and eastern Europe 10 years later. He began World Youth Day and traveled to several countries for those celebrations. He very much wanted to visit China and the Soviet Union but the governments in those countries prevented that.
One of the most well-remembered photos of his pontificate was his one-on-one conversation in 1983 with Mehmet Ali Agca, who had attempted to assassinate him two years earlier.
In his 27 years of papal ministry, John Paul II wrote 14 encyclicals and five books, canonized 482 saints and beatified 1,338 people.
In the last years of his life, he suffered from Parkinson’s disease and was forced to cut back on some of his activities.
Pope Benedict XVI beatified John Paul II in 2011, and Pope Francis canonized him in 2014.
Born in Wadowice, Poland, Karol Jozef Wojtyla had lost his mother, father and older brother before his 21st birthday. Karol’s promising academic career at Krakow’s Jagiellonian University was cut short by the outbreak of World War II. While working in a quarry and a chemical factory, he enrolled in an “underground” seminary in Kraków. Ordained in 1946, he was immediately sent to Rome where he earned a doctorate in theology.
Back in Poland, a short assignment as assistant pastor in a rural parish preceded his very fruitful chaplaincy for university students. Soon he earned a doctorate in philosophy and began teaching that subject at Poland’s University of Lublin.
Communist officials allowed him to be appointed auxiliary bishop of Kraków in 1958, considering him a relatively harmless intellectual. They could not have been more wrong!
He attended all four sessions of Vatican II and contributed especially to its Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World. Appointed as archbishop of Kraków in 1964, he was named a cardinal three years later.
Elected pope in October 1978, he took the name of his short-lived, immediate predecessor. Pope John Paul II was the first non-Italian pope in 455 years. In time, he made pastoral visits to 124 countries, including several with small Christian populations.
He promoted ecumenical and interfaith initiatives, especially the 1986 Day of Prayer for World Peace in Assisi. He visited Rome’s Main Synagogue and the Western Wall in Jerusalem; he also established diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Israel. He improved Catholic-Muslim relations and in 2001 visited a mosque in Damascus, Syria.
The Great Jubilee of the Year 2000, a key event in John Paul’s ministry, was marked by special celebrations in Rome and elsewhere for Catholics and other Christians. Relations with the Orthodox Churches improved considerably during his ministry as pope.
“Christ is the center of the universe and of human history” was the opening line of his 1979 encyclical, Redeemer of the Human Race. In 1995, he described himself to the United Nations General Assembly as “a witness to hope.”
His 1979 visit to Poland encouraged the growth of the Solidarity movement there and the collapse of communism in central and eastern Europe 10 years later. He began World Youth Day and traveled to several countries for those celebrations. He very much wanted to visit China and the Soviet Union but the governments in those countries prevented that.
One of the most well-remembered photos of his pontificate was his one-on-one conversation in 1983 with Mehmet Ali Agca, who had attempted to assassinate him two years earlier.
In his 27 years of papal ministry, John Paul II wrote 14 encyclicals and five books, canonized 482 saints and beatified 1,338 people.
In the last years of his life, he suffered from Parkinson’s disease and was forced to cut back on some of his activities.
Pope Benedict XVI beatified John Paul II in 2011, and Pope Francis canonized him in 2014.
Comment:
Before John Paul II’s funeral Mass in St. Peter’s Square, hundreds of thousands of people had waited patiently for a brief moment to pray before his body, which lay in state inside St. Peter’s for several days. The media coverage of his funeral was unprecedented.
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, then dean of the College of Cardinals and later Pope Benedict XVI, presided at the funeral Mass and concluded his homily by saying: “None of us can ever forget how, in that last Easter Sunday of his life, the Holy Father, marked by suffering, came once more to the window of the Apostolic Palace and one last time gave his blessing urbi et orbi [‘to the city and to the world’].
“We can be sure that our beloved pope is standing today at the window of the Father’s house, that sees us and blesses us. Yes, bless us, Holy Father. We entrust your dear soul to the Mother of God, your Mother, who guided you each day and who will guide you now to the glory of her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.”
Before John Paul II’s funeral Mass in St. Peter’s Square, hundreds of thousands of people had waited patiently for a brief moment to pray before his body, which lay in state inside St. Peter’s for several days. The media coverage of his funeral was unprecedented.
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, then dean of the College of Cardinals and later Pope Benedict XVI, presided at the funeral Mass and concluded his homily by saying: “None of us can ever forget how, in that last Easter Sunday of his life, the Holy Father, marked by suffering, came once more to the window of the Apostolic Palace and one last time gave his blessing urbi et orbi [‘to the city and to the world’].
“We can be sure that our beloved pope is standing today at the window of the Father’s house, that sees us and blesses us. Yes, bless us, Holy Father. We entrust your dear soul to the Mother of God, your Mother, who guided you each day and who will guide you now to the glory of her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.”
Quote:
In his 1999 Letter to the Elderly, Pope John Paul II wrote: “Grant, O Lord of life,...when the moment of our definitive ‘passage’ comes, that we may face it with serenity, without regret for what we shall leave behind. For in meeting you, after having sought you for so long, we shall find once more every authentic good which we have known here on earth, in the company of all those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith and hope....Amen.”
In his 1999 Letter to the Elderly, Pope John Paul II wrote: “Grant, O Lord of life,...when the moment of our definitive ‘passage’ comes, that we may face it with serenity, without regret for what we shall leave behind. For in meeting you, after having sought you for so long, we shall find once more every authentic good which we have known here on earth, in the company of all those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith and hope....Amen.”
LECTIO DIVINA:
LUKE 12,39-48
Lectio:
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
Almighty and everlasting God,
our source of power and inspiration,
give us strength and joy
in serving you as followers of Christ,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading - Luke 12,39-48
Jesus said to his disciples. 'You may be quite
sure of this, that if the householder had known at what time the burglar would
come, he would not have let anyone break through the wall of his house. You too
must stand ready, because the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not
expect.'
Peter said, 'Lord, do you mean this parable
for us, or for everyone?'
The Lord replied, 'Who, then, is the wise and
trustworthy steward whom the master will place over his household to give them
at the proper time their allowance of food?
Blessed that servant if his master's arrival
finds him doing exactly that. I tell you truly, he will put him in charge of
everything that he owns. But if the servant says to himself, "My master is
taking his time coming," and sets about beating the menservants and the
servant-girls, and eating and drinking and getting drunk, his master will come
on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not know. The master will
cut him off and send him to the same fate as the unfaithful.
'The servant who knows what his master wants,
but has got nothing ready and done nothing in accord with those wishes, will be
given a great many strokes of the lash.
The one who did not know, but has acted in
such a way that he deserves a beating, will be given fewer strokes. When
someone is given a great deal, a great deal will be demanded of that person;
when someone is entrusted with a great deal, of that person even more will be
expected.
3) Reflection
• Today’s Gospel presents again the
exhortation to vigilance with two other parables. Yesterday, it was the parable
of the Master and of the servant (Lk 12, 36-38). Today, the first parable is
the one of the householder and the burglar (Lk 12, 39-40) and the other one
speaks of the one of the master and the steward (Lk 12, 41-47).
• Luke 12, 39-40: The parable of the
householder and of the burglar. You may be quite sure of this , that if the
householder had known at what time the burglar would come, he would not have
let anyone break through the walls of the house. You too must stand ready,
because the son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect. So just as the
householder does not know at what hour the burglar will come, in the same way,
no one knows the hour when the son of Man will arrive. Jesus says this very
clearly: "But as for that day or hour, nobody knows it, neither the angels
in heaven, nor the Son, no one but the Father!” (Mk 13, 32). Today many people
live worried about the end of the world. On the streets of the cities, we see
written on the walls: Jesus will return! There are even persons who are in
anguish because of the proximity of the end of the world, and they commit
suicide. But time goes by and the end of the world does not arrive! Many times
the affirmation “Jesus will return” is used to frighten people and oblige them
to go to a determinate church! After that long wait and speculation around the
coming of Jesus, many people no longer perceive the presence in our midst, in
the most common things of life, in daily events. What is important is not to
know the hour of the end of the world , but rather to have a look capable of
perceiving the coming of Jesus who is already present in our midst in the
person of the poor (cf Mt 25, 40) and in so many other ways and events of every
day life.
• Luke 12, 41: Peter’s question. “Then, Peter
said, Lord, do you mean this parable for us, or for everyone? The reason for
this question asked by Peter is not clearly understood. It recalls another
episode, in which Jesus responds to a similar question saying: “To you it is
granted to understand the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but to them it is
not granted” (Mt 13, 10-11; Lk 8, 9-10).
• Luke 12, 42-48ª: The parable of the
householder and the steward. In the response to Peter’s question, Jesus
formulates another question in the form of a parable: “Who then is the wise and
trustworthy steward whom the master will place over his household to give them
at the proper time their allowance of food?” Immediately after, Jesus himself
gives the response in the parable: the good steward is the one who carries out
his mission of servant, he does not use the goods received for his own
advantage, and is always vigilant and attentive. Perhaps this is an indirect
response to Peter’s question, as if he would say: “Peter, the parable is really
for you! It is up to you to know how to administer well the mission which God
has given you: to coordinate the communities. In this sense, the response is
also valid for each one of us. And here the final warning acquire much sense:
“When someone is given a great deal, a great deal will be demanded of that
person; when someone is entrusted with a great deal, of that person even more
will be expected”.
• The coming of the Son of Man and the end of
this world. The same problems existed in the Christian communities of the first
centuries. Many people of the communities said that the end of this world was
close at hand and that Jesus would return afterwards. Some from the community
of Thessalonica in Greece, basing themselves in Paul’s preaching said: “Jesus
will return!” (1 Th 4, 13-18; 2 Th 2, 2). And because of this, there were even
persons who no longer worked, because they thought that the coming would be
within a few days or few weeks. Why work if Jesus would return? (cf 2 Th 3,
11). Paul responds that it was not so simple as it seemed, and to those who did
not work he would warn: “He who does not work has no right to eat!” Others
remained looking up to Heaven, waiting for the return of Jesus on the clouds
(cf. Ac 1,11). And others did not like to wait (2 P 3, 4-9). In general the
Christians lived expecting the imminent coming of Jesus. Jesus would come for
the Final Judgment to end with the unjust history of this world here below and
to inaugurate a new phase of history, the definitive phase of the New Heavens
and the New Earth. They thought that it would take place after one or two
generations. Many people would still be alive when Jesus would appear glorious
in Heaven (1Th 4, 16-17; Mk 9, 1). Others, tired of waiting would say: “He will
never come back!” (2 P 3, 4). Even up until today the final return of Jesus has
not yet taken place! How can this delay be understood? We are not aware that
Jesus has already returned, and that he is in our midst: “Look, I am with you
always, yes, till the end of time”. (Mt 28, 20). He is already at our side in
the struggle for justice, for peace and for life. The plenitude, the fullness
has not been attained, but an example or guarantee of the Kingdom is already in
our midst. This is why, we wait with firm hope the total liberation of humanity
and of nature (Rm 8, 22-25). And when we wait and we struggle, we say rightly:
“He is already in our midst!” (Mt 25, 40).
4) Personal questions
• The response of Jesus to Peter serves also
for us, for me. Am I a good administrator of the mission which I have received?
• What do I do in order to be always vigilant?
5) Concluding prayer
From the rising of the sun to its setting,
praised be the name of Yahweh!
Supreme over all nations is Yahweh,
supreme over the heavens his glory. (Ps
113,3-4)
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