Gospel

Luke 12:39-48

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.”

Reflection

Jesus is speaking about responsibility, particularly responsibility to care for those around us. When Peter hears it, he wonders, is this about us, the disciples? Or about everyone? And I think Jesus makes it clear it's about the disciples. They have a great responsibility to be held to a very high standard.

What perhaps is not yet clear to Peter is that responsibility that he carries will be able to be fulfilled, not through his effort, but through the gift of God dwelling within him.

Closing Prayer

Father, fill us with an awareness of confidence in whatever responsibilities you've given to us, that your grace will be there to care for us. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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