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Brothers and sisters:
You have heard of the stewardship of God's grace
that was given to me for your benefit,
namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation,
as I have written briefly earlier.
When you read this
you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,
which was not made known to human beings in other generations
as it has now been revealed
to his holy Apostles and prophets by the Spirit,
that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same Body,
and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel.
Of this I became a minister by the gift of God's grace
that was granted me in accord with the exercise of his power.
To me, the very least of all the holy ones, this grace was given,
to preach to the Gentiles the inscrutable riches of Christ,
and to bring to light for all what is the plan of the mystery
hidden from ages past in God who created all things,
so that the manifold wisdom of God
might now be made known through the Church
to the principalities and authorities in the heavens.
This was according to the eternal purpose
that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,
in whom we have boldness of speech
and confidence of access through faith in him.
R./ You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
God indeed is my savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the Lord,
and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water
at the fountain of salvation.
R./ You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
Give thanks to the Lord, acclaim his name;
among the nations make known his deeds,
proclaim how exalted is his name.
R./ You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
Sing praise to the Lord for his glorious achievement;
let this be known throughout all the earth.
Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,
for great in your midst
is the Holy One of Israel!
R./ You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
Jesus said to his disciples, "Pay attention to this: If the master of the house had known at what time the thief would come, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect."
Peter said, "Lord, did you tell this parable only for us, or for everyone?" And the Lord replied, "Imagine, then, the wise and faithful steward whom the master sets over his other servants to give them food rations at the proper time. Fortunate is this servant if his master on coming home finds him doing his work. Truly, I say to you, the master will put him in charge of all his property.
"But it may be that the steward thinks: 'My Lord delays in coming,' and he begins to abuse the menservants and the servant girls, eating and drinking and getting drunk. Then the master will come on a day he does not expect him and at an hour he doesn't know. He will discharge his servant and number him among the unreliable.
"The servant who knew his master's will, but did not prepare to do what his master wanted, will be punished with sound blows; but the one who did what deserved a punishment without knowing it shall receive fewer blows. Much will be required of the one who has been given much, and more will be asked of the one entrusted with more."
Dear Friends:
In today’s Gospel, Luke presents us with a strong call to responsibility and faithfulness in our Christian life. Jesus invites us to be always ready, always vigilant, because we do not know when the Son of Man will come. The metaphor of the householder who, if he knew when the thief was coming, would keep watch, makes us aware of the importance of living each day in expectation of Christ’s coming.
Peter asks if this teaching is only for the disciples or for everyone, and Jesus responds with the parable of the faithful steward. Here the Lord emphasizes that those entrusted with a mission, as in the case of the disciples, have a greater responsibility to be faithful and diligent in their service. The steward who fulfills his duty with dedication and loyalty will be blessed, while the one who abuses his authority and lives in disorder will be severely punished.
This passage reminds us that we must not fall into the trap of comfort or indifference, thinking that «the Lord is slow to come. As Christians, we all have a responsibility to fulfill in our environment, whether in the family, at work, in the community, or in the church. We have been entrusted with the care of others and the mission to be witnesses of the Gospel. Jesus warns us that the more knowledge and gifts we have received, the more is expected of us. This is a call to take our vocation seriously and to live according to what we know to be right and true.
It is a call to consistency: if we know what the Lord wants of us, we must act accordingly. It is not enough to have good intentions; our actions must reflect our faith and our commitment to God. In the end, we will be judged not only by what we have done, but also by what we have failed to do with the gifts and opportunities God has given us.
This gospel invites us to a thorough examination of personal responsibility and vigilance. Let us be like the faithful steward who works diligently and lovingly, knowing that one day the Lord will come and it will be a great joy to be found fulfilling his will.
Edgardo Guzmán, CMF
Opening Prayer
Our God and Father,
in the generosity of your creative imagination
you distribute among people
a variety of gifts and talents
of mind and heart and grace.
Convince us, Lord, that what we have received,
we have received for others,
that if we have been given more,
we are not greater or better,
only responsible for more.
Help us to use what we are and have
in the service of others.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(Partially based on a text by Helder Camara)
Liturgy of the Word
First Reading Introduction
Paul, who may be the author of part of Ephesians, speaks of the grace given him of preaching the Good News of Christ to the Gentiles, so that they could share in the mystery of Christ.
Gospel Introduction
In the Gospel, Luke speaks of the vigilance of Christians and their leaders. They are responsible for the grace and the talents God has given them. And, says Jesus, the more has been given to us, the more is expected of us, the more we have to be responsible for those entrusted to us.
General Intercessions
- That the Church may bring the light of faith where there is darkness and indifference, hope where there is fatalism and despair, and love where there is hatred and strife, we pray:
- That those who are discouraged by trials and by their troubles and fears may keep believing and hoping in a God who brings everything to a good end, we pray:
- That all of us may grow in the certainty that our commitment to justice and love and our dedicated service in life are needed to help God's promises come true, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God,
let these signs of bread and wine
express that we are willing
to serve you and people
in responsible freedom.
Let your Son share with us
his strength and loyalty,
to make us wise and faithful stewards
of the message of justice and love
entrusted to us by Jesus Christ,
your Son and our Lord for ever.
Prayer after Communion
Lord our God,
to let us know that you expect of us
more than we are capable of,
you have given us again
the word and body of your Son.
Help us to live according to the gospel
as people set free by Jesus
and responsible with him
for the progress in this world
of integrity and love.
We ask you this through Christ our Lord.
Blessing
"From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required," says Jesus. We have received much from God, our faith, our capacity to love, pardon of our sins. Let us thank the Lord and ask for the blessing of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
