Parable for Whom

Today’s Gospel Text:  But know this, that if the householder had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an unexpected hour." 41 Peter said, "Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?" 42 And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master when he comes will find so doing. 44 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 45 But if that servant says to himself, 'My master is delayed in coming,' and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will punish him, and put him with the unfaithful. 47 And that servant who knew his master's will, but did not make ready or act according to his will, shall receive a severe beating. 48 But he who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, shall receive a light beating. Every one to whom much is given, of him will much be required; and of him to whom men commit much they will demand the more. Luke 12:39-48

Reflection: The parables of Jesus communicate a powerful message to any listeners. Some of them are addressed to the general public, some for the scribes and Pharisees and some specifically to the disciples. 

Whom then was this Parable addressed to?

Peter said, "Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?" (vs. 41) When Peter asks this question, he is revealing something to us.

Ultimately whom is this specific parable addressed to, is it not to those among the disciples who have been given a responsibility.

Hence the parable is a specific one for Peter and all those who are given responsibility over God’s household to minister the bread of life; to feed and quench the deep spiritual thirst of people.

 Blessed is that servant whom his master when he comes will find so doing. (vs. 43)

Peter and company seems to have taken this message to heart after the resurrection of Jesus from the dead and even exhorts themselves to likewise devote themselves to this task:
 

"And the twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." Acts 6:2-4

Despite the warning of Jesus, we could have servants who have taken these apostles place and who could be involved in eating and drinking and beating and persecuting the sheep under their care, even persecuting those who take this task seriously. 

Thus it must remain this way because the Lord himself warns us about it along with their rewards.

As for those who take Christ’s message seriously, they know their daily task of feeding the multitude from the Lords presence. They do it with diligence and perseverance, with a sense of urgency and generosity of heart.

Ultimately, their labor accomplished at great risk to life, will be rewarded.

Prayer: Lord, I accept the responsibility you have placed over me, help me to accomplish it faithfully trusting in you.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Responsiblity

Today’s Gospel Text:  And James and John, the sons of Zeb'edee, came forward to him, and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." 36 And he said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?" 37 And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." 38 But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" 39 And they said to him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. 42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:35-45

Reflection: Many seek power and positions in life but they would not want to take up the total responsibilities that comes with such positions.

Some on gaining power become more corrupt and thus abdicate their responsibility to manage their jobs in all sincerity and with the right spirit.

Some gain power and want positions too but are incapable of handling their responsibilities and yet would not have the humility to step down or delegate that responsibility to someone lower then them, who may be better equipped and more capable.

There may be some in power who are so insecure that they work by envy of their subordinates and subjugate or spend their time and talent in persecuting their juniors and even demanding respect and honor.

Others gain power and positions, fulfill their responsibilities to the bare minimum or go by the code and hence can be less human in their ways of going about their job.

Some see how they can play even with their enemies, as long as they have the power in their hands by virtue of their position and authority.

Some do not know the job and are totally incapable and yet want to be in power and hold on to positions.

When will Christians learn from their faith that they already have a special place and privilege in society as salt of the earth and light of the world.

They wield a certain power by virtue of their faith and they need to live an incorrupt and self-sacrificing life as part of their responsibility to lead others to the light too.

Thus the Dedicated Disciples, who seeks that power and position, are admonished by Jesus and reminded about their responsibilities as true dedicated disciples; “Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?"

Prayer: Lord we too desire that special place in your kingdom; strengthen us to accept the responsibilities associated with our privileges as Christians.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

The Presentation of the Lord (Feast)

Today’s Gospel:  And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord") 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."  Luke 2:22-24

Reflection:  There are times when rules, regulations and laws are applied uniformly even though not all fit in the bracket. Some become beneficiaries and some become losers in the process.  A law for receiving first Holy Communion or the sacrament of confirmation can be uniformly applied as per the age of the person. The beneficiaries are individuals who may not meet the other important criteria of reason and maturity.  Hence the many never live up to the expectations or the demands of such an important sacrament.

In the Gospel we find that the law for offering the first born should not have applied to Jesus; for he has come to make of himself a total offering to the Lord. But if we look closely at the law and its practice, there must have been many first born in Israel who have been presented to the Lord and how many among them have really lived up to the demands of the law?

Christ Jesus came to make of himself a total offering. He was to set the trend which St. Paul later exhorts the Christians to imitate; “I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”  Rom 12:1

The first step towards this act is to grow in worshipping the Lord, through the process of purification and cleansing in his presence. The act of perfect worship is accomplished through much purification, it is also an act of total surrender to God and his holy will.

Prayer:  Accept my offerings of praise, O Lord, and teach me thy ordinances. I hold my life in my hand continually, but I do not forget thy law. Ps 119:108-109

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Who could this tenant be?

Scripture: "Hear another parable. There was a householder who planted a vineyard, and set a hedge around it, and dug a wine press in it, and built a tower, and let it out to tenants, and went into another country. Matt 21:33

  

Reflection:  When I hear of this parable I wonder why do people envy the priesthood and its privileges and for that matter any privileged position in the church. Ultimately any privileged position in the church is like being a tenant who is called to live out ones role of stewardship over the vineyard of God. It is God who has planted the vineyard, sets it boundaries of operation given it the wine press of sacrifice and built the necessary tower of strength to overcome the enemy.

When the day of reckoning arrives he is going to ask an account from all those tenants.  They may go around as shepherds, heads of Associations, presidents and vice-presidents, Coordinators, etc. but they will ultimately be called to task as tenants.   

Prayer: Lord, may the tenant whom you have placed over your Vineyard be guided by your wisdom to take the right decision in life so that they may not stand condemned on the Day of Judgment.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us