Our soul waits for the LORD, who is our help and our shield. May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us who have put our hope in you. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 12:32-48, today's readings).

"Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”

These words of Jesus spoken to the disciples follow his teaching on discipleship. Jesus tells the parable of the servant awaiting the master's return from a wedding. "Blessed are those servants," Jesus says, "whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. . . . for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” Peter asks if the parable is meant only for them or for everyone, and Jesus answers by sharing another parable. This one focuses on a master who goes away and puts a steward in charge of the distribution of food at the proper time. Jesus speaks to the "little flock"—that's all of us—when he tells his stewards to store up an inexhaustible treasure in heaven. "For where your treasure is," he says, "there also will your heart be."

God, help me hear the reassuring voice of Jesus today and throughout the days ahead. “Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom." What are the belongings Jesus asks me to sell? The material things I possess are more than I need—more clothing, food, money. Even more, Lord, what belongings am I attached to that in some way prevent me from storing up treasures in heaven? Give me the grace, Lord, to conform my will to yours more and more, with a heart that treasures what you treasure, so that when the unexpected knock comes at the door, I am ready to open immediately at your arrival.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.