What to do and say today

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary bring to mind two related and essential aspects of life, faith and the end time. The Book of Wisdom was one of the last parts of the Hebrew testament to be written. The book, written in Greek, is included in the Roman Catholic and Orthodox canon. The passage today recounts some of the fruits which Israel experienced in their journey to be a faithful partner with God in the Covenant. The Letter to the Hebrews gives a definition of faith as the realization of what is hoped for. We require faith in our daily lives so that the plans we make will unfold as each person contributes his or her part of the 5000 piece puzzle which can make up a day, a week, or a year. We think about the parable of the Master in the Gospel of Luke today who has instructed His servants that they will need to keep his house until He returns. Faith guides us to trust others, and as FriarJude Winkler comments, treat them with more dignity than they think they deserve. This maintenance of the Kingdom of the Master is our way to plan for His return. Father Larry Gillick SJ considers the investment God has made in humanity through Jesus. The disciple of Jesus is mandated through the action of having been given much understanding of the Master to be found doing the work of the Master when He returns. The end times remind Friar Jude of the advice that we should consider “Nothing left undone, nothing left unsaid” in our actions today.