Wednesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in
Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 475
Lectionary: 475
Brothers and sisters:
Sin must not reign over your mortal bodies
so that you obey their desires.
And do not present the parts of your bodies to sin
as weapons for wickedness,
but present yourselves to God as raised from the dead to life
and the parts of your bodies to God
as weapons for righteousness.
For sin is not to have any power over you,
since you are not under the law but under grace.
What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law
but under grace?
Of course not!
Do you not know that if you present yourselves
to someone as obedient slaves,
you are slaves of the one you obey,
either of sin, which leads to death,
or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?
But thanks be to God that, although you were once slaves of sin,
you have become obedient from the heart
to the pattern of teaching to which you were entrusted.
Freed from sin, you have become slaves of righteousness.
Sin must not reign over your mortal bodies
so that you obey their desires.
And do not present the parts of your bodies to sin
as weapons for wickedness,
but present yourselves to God as raised from the dead to life
and the parts of your bodies to God
as weapons for righteousness.
For sin is not to have any power over you,
since you are not under the law but under grace.
What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law
but under grace?
Of course not!
Do you not know that if you present yourselves
to someone as obedient slaves,
you are slaves of the one you obey,
either of sin, which leads to death,
or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?
But thanks be to God that, although you were once slaves of sin,
you have become obedient from the heart
to the pattern of teaching to which you were entrusted.
Freed from sin, you have become slaves of righteousness.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 124:1B-3, 4-6, 7-8
R. (8a) Our
help is in the name of the Lord.
Had not the LORD been with us,
let Israel say, had not the LORD been with us–
When men rose up against us,
then would they have swallowed us alive;
When their fury was inflamed against us.
R. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
Then would the waters have overwhelmed us;
The torrent would have swept over us;
over us then would have swept the raging waters.
Blessed be the LORD, who did not leave us
a prey to their teeth.
R. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
We were rescued like a bird
from the fowlers' snare;
Broken was the snare,
and we were freed.
Our help is in the name of the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
R. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
Had not the LORD been with us,
let Israel say, had not the LORD been with us–
When men rose up against us,
then would they have swallowed us alive;
When their fury was inflamed against us.
R. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
Then would the waters have overwhelmed us;
The torrent would have swept over us;
over us then would have swept the raging waters.
Blessed be the LORD, who did not leave us
a prey to their teeth.
R. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
We were rescued like a bird
from the fowlers' snare;
Broken was the snare,
and we were freed.
Our help is in the name of the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
R. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
AlleluiaMT 24:42A, 44
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
Stay awake!
For you do not know when the Son of Man will come.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Stay awake!
For you do not know when the Son of Man will come.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 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 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: "Be ready to answer - the Lord draws near"
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!
Guarding the treasure God's has given us
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 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.
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 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 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 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.
God rewards those who are faithful and
wise
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 laziness 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 laziness and abuse with demotion, dishonor, and imprisonment.
Are you ready to meet the Lord?
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.
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 me strong in faith, steadfast in hope, and
generous in love that I may seek to please you in all things and bring you
glory. May I always be watchful and ready to answer when you draw
near."
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: God's great promise for faithful and wise
servants, by Origen of Alexandria (185-254
AD)
"'Blessed is the servant whom the Lord will find
so doing when he comes. A great promise is extended to the Lord's faithful and
wise stewards. It is like the promise he made to those to whom he said, 'Take
authority over five cities' or 'take authority over ten cities' (Luke
19:17-19). For to be made the head 'over all his possessions' is nothing other
than to be made an 'heir of God and coheir with Christ' (Romans 8:17) and to
reign with Christ. The Father has given him everything he himself possesses, as
Christ said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me'
(Matthew 28:18). The Son of the good Father who is given authority over all his
Father's possessions also shares this honor and glory with his faithful and
wise stewards, so they also might be with Christ above every creature and
authority. This is what he meant when he said, 'Truly I say to you, he will set
him over all his possessions.'" (excerpt
from the COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 62)
WEDNESDAY,
OCTOBER 25, LUKE 12:39-48
Weekday
(Romans 6:12-18; Psalm 124)
Weekday
(Romans 6:12-18; Psalm 124)
KEY VERSE: "Much will be required of the person entrusted with much" (v 48).
TO KNOW: 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). Jesus warned that such misconduct would be severely punished. He reminded his disciples, the future leaders of the Church, who had been entrusted with a great responsibility to hand on his authentic teachings. Therefore, they would be held more accountable than those who acted out of ignorance of their "master's will" (v 47).
TO LOVE: Do I pray for the leaders of the Church to be faithful and responsible stewards?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to be diligent in my tasks while awaiting your coming glory.
www.togetherwithgodsword.com
Wednesday 25
October 2017
Romans 6:12-18. Psalm 123(124).
Luke 12:39-48.
Our help
is in the name of the Lord — Psalm 123(124).
‘Our help
is in the name of the Lord.’
Lord, often my life seems a
mystery. I cannot understand things that happen, nor can I see where things
will lead me. I get discouraged and impatient, saying, ‘My master is taking his
time coming.’ Or, in more modern words, ‘Where is God for me?’ Patience is
needed, for you alone know the right way for me.
You are the chief mystery in my
life. I often think I know you. But, then, you show yourself more mysterious
than I can imagine. You offer yourself to me through your church, your
sacraments and your Spirit. Gratefully, I wait for the day when you call me to
experience fully the mystery of yourself.
Lord, I thank you.
FORTY MARTYRS OF ENGLAND AND WALES
This feast, the feast of the Forty Martyrs of England and
Wales, honors the hundreds of British men and women who died for their
faith in wake of the dispute between the Pope and King Henry VIII during the
16th century. Many loyal Catholics were tortured and killed by the British
state from 1535 to 1679.
In
1970, the Vatican selected 40 martyrs, men and women, lay and religious, to
represent the full group of about 300. Each martyr has their own day of
memorial, but they are all remembered as a group on October 25.
LECTIO DIVINA: LUKE 12,39-48
Lectio Divina:
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
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 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 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 church! After waiting and speculation about the
coming of Jesus, many people no longer perceive the presence in our midst, in
the most common things of life, or in daily events. What is important is not to
know the hour of the end of the world, but rather being 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 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 and 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 for 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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