25 October, 2023 | Wednesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel Lk 12: 39-48

 

Interested in the things after death?

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."

Reflections

By using the word “servant” St.  Luke was describing the service to which God calls us. God wants us to

contribute in all circumstances-- in our parishes, in our relationships at work, in our families-- our time,

energy and knowledge in a selfless way. He calls us to serve without complaint or reservation, lovingly,

looking beyond our own comfort to the needs of others and the concerns of the church. He has called us

to give ourselves to him unconditionally, to belong to him as his people, living for the desires of their

master. In turn Jesus gives us an understanding of his love  . He has also promised   that if we renounce our self-directed ways and shoulder the yoke of his service, we would experience fullness of life and peace which otherwise is not possible on our own.

Activity:

 Today I want to renounce my selfishness and be at the service of others.