From the Word of the Day
Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.
(Luke 12, 48)
How should we live this Word
Today’s Gospel is a call to every Christian’s responsibility both as an individual and as a person for a specific service in the community. It is meaningful that Peter is the one who asks if the preceding parable is “for us or for everyone.” Jesus answers with another parable that reinforces His teaching. “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?” The servant who acts according to the master’s will is the pleasing one and he will put him “in charge of all his property. Yet, woe to the one who does not do the master’s bidding!
In this story, God is the master. The administrator is each one of us who has received the mandate to serve the common good at various levels. This principle is to be remembered both by those who occupy positions of great responsibility as well as by those who are dedicated to humbler occupations. Thus the answer to Peter’s question is ‘yes’. The parable is for everyone but we can intuit a particular challenge for bishops and priests who have been entrusted with the sacred ministry in the Church. Their mission is ‘distributing the food allowance at the proper time’, continuing Jesus’ mission by breaking the Bread of the Word and the Eucharist for all their sisters and brothers.
Today as I pause for silent contemplation, I will consider my sense of responsibility within my personal situation in my family, at work, in groups of involvement, in my parish.
Lord, I pray for priests in particular that they may live with love and authenticity their pastoral ministry and experience the joy of being at the service of Your people. With Your help, I will seek to collaborate faithfully and prudently with them. Help me to be your ‘faithful servant’ even in my other duties and to sense Your closeness always.
The voice of R. Guardini, contemporary witness
Responsibility is a somewhat global virtue. It involves one personally and in relation to the entire world. It is the virtue of those who know how to be present, intelligently and deeply, in what is happening around them.
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