The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to consider our response to the invitation of Christ to encounter Him in our service of His brothers and sisters who we meet daily.
In the reading from the Letter to the Ephesians, Paul’s Ministry to the Gentiles is described.
* [3:1–13] Paul reflects on his mission to the Gentiles. He alludes to his call and appointment to the apostolic office (Eph 3:2–3) and how his insight through revelation, as well as that of the other apostles and charismatic prophets in the church (Eph 3:4–5), has deepened understanding of God’s plan of salvation in Christ. Paul is the special herald (Eph 3:7) of a new promise to the Gentiles (Eph 3:6): that the divine plan includes them in the spiritual benefits promised to Israel. Not only is this unique apostolic role his; Paul also has been given the task of explaining to all the divine plan of salvation (Eph 3:8–9), once hidden. Through the church, God’s plan to save through Christ is becoming manifest to angelic beings (Eph 3:10; cf. Eph 1:21), in accord with God’s purpose (Eph 3:11). The fulfillment of the plan in Christ gives the whole church more confidence through faith in God (Eph 3:12). The readers of this letter are also thereby encouraged to greater confidence despite Paul’s imprisonment (Eph 3:13).
* [3:1] A prisoner of Christ: see Introduction. Paul abruptly departs from his train of thought at the end of Eph 3:1 leaving an incomplete sentence.
* [3:2] Stewardship: the Greek is the same term employed at Eph 1:10 for the plan that God administers (Col 1:25) and in which Paul plays a key role.
* [3:3–4] The mystery: God’s resolve to deliver Gentiles along with Israel through Christ; cf. notes on Eph 1:10; 3:9.
* [3:9] [For all]: while some think this phrase was added so as to yield the sense “to enlighten all about the plan…,” it is more likely that some manuscripts and Fathers omitted it accidentally or to avoid the idea that all conflicted with Paul’s assignment to preach to the Gentiles (Eph 3:8) specifically.
* [3:10] Principalities and authorities: see note on Eph 1:15–23 regarding Eph 3:21. (Ephesians, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)
The response from the Prophet Isaiah proclaims that God is my salvation.
* [12:1–6] Israel’s thanksgiving to the Lord, expressed in language like that of the Psalms. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus teaches the parable of the Faithful or the Unfaithful Servant.
* [12:35–48] This collection of sayings relates to Luke’s understanding of the end time and the return of Jesus. Luke emphasizes for his readers the importance of being faithful to the instructions of Jesus in the period before the parousia.
* [12:45] My master is delayed in coming: this statement indicates that early Christian expectations for the imminent return of Jesus had undergone some modification. Luke cautions his readers against counting on such a delay and acting irresponsibly. Cf. the similar warning in Mt 24:48. (Luke, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)
Andy Alexander, S.J. (2008) comments that in all of the defining moments of our lives, Jesus is there coming to meet us with the offer of grace, with the gift of freedom, with the loving encounter that calls us to be our most loving and self-sacrificing selves. He simply asks us to be ready to meet him at the time he comes to us today.
Lord, open our hearts today and every day to receive your gifts of freedom and to encounter you in the many people you place in our lives, in the many choices which can bring us closer to you. Free us to love more freely to say "yes" more completely, to think of the needs of others first and to know what is the right choice. Liberate us from the seduction of power, the deadly grip of anger or judgment, and the debilitating trap of fear. Let us come to life each day as you prepare us for eternal life with you. And, on that day you come to bring us home, grant us the grace of loving family and friends to support us as we surrender to your love completely in our final Amen. (Alexander, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “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) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 12:39-48 comments that Jesus uses this parable to help his disciples understand how to prepare for his own return in glory. But notice that the master in the parable praises “the faithful and prudent steward” who is working “to distribute the food allowance” when the master returns (Luke 12:42). The master is pleased because the steward is distributing food to the other servants. He is pleased to find his servant taking care of people. That’s his job.
So what might this food allowance be? Think about the grace that God has given to you—the gifts, the insights, the talents, even your possessions. That’s what he’s asking you to share.
All around you there are hungry people. They may be hungry for physical food or hungry for love, yearning for God’s mercy or longing for his presence. God has placed them in your life so that you can “feed [his] sheep” (John 21:17). He wants you to care for them as the steward in the parable does. He asks you to give generously: of your time, your love, your faith, and—yes—your resources. As he told his disciples at another time, “Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give” (Matthew 10:8).
Do you want to know how to be ready for Jesus’ return? It’s simple: live a life of generosity in his name. Let the needs of others soften your heart so that you can give to them just as freely as Jesus has given to you.
“Lord, show me how, when, and where to distribute the ‘food’ you have given me.” (Meditation on Luke 12:39-48, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler notes how the author of the passage from Ephesians celebrates the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles as co-heirs. This differs from the expression of Paul that difference with Gentiles is no longer important because we are “One Body in Christ”. Friar Jude reminds us that Luke understands that salvation is now when we encounter Christ and there will be an accounting of our response as shown in our actions.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that contemplation cultivates an ability to discern right action. Dutch priest and author Henri Nouwen (1932–1996) views discernment as a gift that comes from our intimacy with God.
I can see no other way for discernment than a life in the Spirit, a life of unceasing prayer and contemplation, a life of deep communion with the Spirit of God. Such a life will slowly develop in us an inner sensitivity, enabling us to distinguish between the law of the flesh [ego] and the law of the Spirit [soul]. We certainly will make constant errors and seldom have the purity of heart required to make the right decisions all the time. But when we continually try to live in the Spirit, we at least will be willing to confess our weakness and limitations in all humility, trusting in the one who is greater than our hearts. [2] (Rohr, n.d.)
We implore the Spirit to guide us as we open the invitation of God to be one in the Body and prepare for encountering Christ in our action.
References
Alexander, A. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. OnlineMinistries. Retrieved October 23, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/102324.html
Ephesians, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 23, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ephesians/3?2
Isaiah, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 23, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/12?2
Luke, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 23, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/12?
Meditation on Luke 12:39-48. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved October 23, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/10/23/1111379/
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Discerning God’s Will. Retrieved October 23, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/discerning-gods-will/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Be Ready to Answer - the Lord Draws Near. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 23, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=oct23
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