Wednesday, June 15, 2005
LUKE 12:39-48
"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. ….Much will be required of the person entrusted with much and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more."
This parable of the faithful and vigilant steward is certainly one of the more memorable ones in the gospel of Luke. On first reading, the parable tells of a very ordinary story of the relationship between a master and his stewards. It speaks of the prudence and faithful service of one steward but also of the unfaithfulness and unreliability of another steward and their respective consequences.
The final verses, very similar to the parable of the ten gold coins in Chapter 19: 12-27, and also the parable of the talents in the gospel of Matthew go to the heart of Jesus' teaching in this parable. He challenges us today, who are living in the 21st century to reflect on our lives and all we possess as something God has given us freely (He does not owe us anything.) in the same manner that he challenged his listeners living in the first century.
Who, then, is the steward whom the Master has chosen to put in charge of his other servants? Will the steward be faithful and prudent in carrying out his Master's wishes? Or will he be like the unfaithful steward who abused his authority / stewardship which the Master had given him?
As we further reflect, on this, what questions shall we ask ourselves on our role as stewards of God's creation? Have we failed to care for our world, the planet earth as well as the social, political and economic structures of our time? Have we neglected to help our neighbors when they are in need? Let us continue to ask ourselves, who are much more blessed by God not only in material wealth but also in talent, time and in other ways, did we share to those who have less? As we reflect on the Gospel today, let us ask ourselves if we have failed Jesus in different ways.
This parable of the faithful and vigilant steward is certainly one of the more memorable ones in the gospel of Luke. On first reading, the parable tells of a very ordinary story of the relationship between a master and his stewards. It speaks of the prudence and faithful service of one steward but also of the unfaithfulness and unreliability of another steward and their respective consequences.
The final verses, very similar to the parable of the ten gold coins in Chapter 19: 12-27, and also the parable of the talents in the gospel of Matthew go to the heart of Jesus' teaching in this parable. He challenges us today, who are living in the 21st century to reflect on our lives and all we possess as something God has given us freely (He does not owe us anything.) in the same manner that he challenged his listeners living in the first century.
Who, then, is the steward whom the Master has chosen to put in charge of his other servants? Will the steward be faithful and prudent in carrying out his Master's wishes? Or will he be like the unfaithful steward who abused his authority / stewardship which the Master had given him?
As we further reflect, on this, what questions shall we ask ourselves on our role as stewards of God's creation? Have we failed to care for our world, the planet earth as well as the social, political and economic structures of our time? Have we neglected to help our neighbors when they are in need? Let us continue to ask ourselves, who are much more blessed by God not only in material wealth but also in talent, time and in other ways, did we share to those who have less? As we reflect on the Gospel today, let us ask ourselves if we have failed Jesus in different ways.
# posted by F O O D F O R T H O U G H T @ 5:04 PM 
