Watch Not

Today’s Gospel Text:  One Sabbath when he went to dine at the house of a ruler who belonged to the Pharisees, they were watching him.

7 Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he marked how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, 8 "When you are invited by any one to a marriage feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest a more eminent man than you be invited by him; 9 and he who invited you both will come and say to you, 'Give place to this man,' and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, 'Friend, go up higher'; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. 11 For every one who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 14:1, 7-11

Reflection: Why would one watch and more so watch over Jesus?

It could be either to imitate him or to see what faults they could find in order to condemn him.

As for us the safest thing to do before watching over someone or sending people as spies to watch over others is to watch over our hearts and mind first and see if we are right with God.

This also applies to those in authority and those who want to exercise authority over people by watching over them in order to discern their ways or simply spy on them.

By deliberately seeking to watch over people whom we may want to target, we are bound to fail, especially if it involves the work of God.  

    

"For who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" 1 Cor 2:16

Ideally, if one wants to discern the authenticity of a person so as to discern whether they are God’s servant then the best thing to do is not to watch over that person but to watch in prayer for God’s insight about the person.

The human mind is limited and even petty in the light of the large heartedness of God and bound to make mistakes when it comes to judging a spiritual man.  He cannot be judged by anyone. (cfr. I Cor. 2:15)

On the other hand we could watch over a person in order to imitate him, yet it is never safe to do so without seeking the wisdom of God.  There are many who have been deceived by men in assumed humility but inside have been ravenous wolves. (cfr. Mt. 7:15)

These categories are not always found outside the church or among the laity but could be among the hierarchy too.  Hence the great need to trust in God, which is never an option, and carry on with life.

Prayer:  Lord, deliver me from those who work evil, and save me from bloodthirsty men. Ps 59:2

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

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

Divine Authority

Today’s Gospel Text: And he went down to Caper'na-um, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the sabbath; 32 and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word was with authority. 33 And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon; and he cried out with a loud voice, 34 "Ah! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God." 35 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" And when the demon had thrown him down in the midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. 36 And they were all amazed and said to one another, "What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out." 37 And reports of him went out into every place in the surrounding region. Luke 4:31-37

Reflection:  If you are in the habit of listening to sermons and analyze them, then you will realize that there are varieties of sermons dished out from the pulpit.

Broadly speaking they can be categorized as; impressive sermons and non-impressive sermons.

Leaving the non-impressive aside, we analyze the impressive ones which may be even super-impressive and yet never effective or qualitative.They may leave good and pleasant memories and yet a vacuum in one's heart. 

These super-impressive sermons could in its content be interspersed with worldly wisdom and jokes, good enough to impress the senses. It may contain cogent logical arguments and yet may never be based on solid truth as its premise. It depends much on the personal charisma of the preacher.

In other words, the sermon may be all impressive but never effective and may never achieve the goal and vision Christ Jesus has set forth.

On the other hand a quality effective sermon may not have all the fanfare of a brimstone and fire sermon but it touches somewhere and strikes a deep cord. It has a divine presence in it. 

Jesus’ teaching seemed to have the same divine presence as well as that authority; it carries the authoritative word that created the heavens and the earth and all that it contains.

It’s the authoritative word that created man and placed him as the caretaker of his creation as a responsible steward.

It is that authoritative voice that  now comes to restore what was lost by the irresponsible action of man.

Jesus is that one authoritative voice that has to be believed on in the world, so that mankind doesn’t meet its condemnation.

He has delegated this authority to his Holy Apostles and saints and it belongs to them who know how to act responsibly and guard it from the contamination of the world.

Prayer: Lord, prepare my heart and mind to be your voice of authority to others, so that they may believe that you are our God that reigns.

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