Gospel: Lk 12:39-48
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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.”
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Jesus reminds his disciples of the important responsibility of a steward. He is entrusted by the Master with the task of looking after the welfare of the menservants and maidservants. His duty as a steward is not to lord over the others but to ensure that the work needed to be done in the house is accomplished. Moreover, it is his duty to provide for the needs of other servants. He should not squander his time in laziness. Nor should he wallow in excesses, enslaved by debauchery and drunkenness.
As God’s stewards, we are entrusted with our respective responsibilities. These may include our family, our work, our community, and others. Jesus reminds us to fulfill our duties out of love rather than fear. Our realization of God’s bountiful and merciful love should inspire us to work as true stewards of God.
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SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2020,” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: books@ stpauls.ph; Website: http:// www.stpauls.ph.
