Jesus said to his disciples:
“Gird your loins and light your lamps
and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding,
ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.
Blessed are those servants
whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival.
Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself,
have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them.
And should he come in the second or third watch
and find them prepared in this way,
blessed are those servants.”
Lectio (Reading)
Read the passage twice and get a sense of what it is saying. Pay attention to what strikes you.Meditatio (Reflecting)
Slowly read the passage again, pausing on words or phrases that stands out. Take time to consider the meaning. particularly in your life.Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival.
Oratio (Responding)
Read the passage again, slowly. Consider how God has spoken to you and respond back to Him. You may want to consider how this passage is asking you to act differently.This gospel today definitely has a message for us all. But, in the next couple verses of this chapter, peter asks if this parable is for everyone, or just us, Jesus responds with a stern warning to Peter and his fellow priests, and bishops. I truly wish that when the liberal “anything-goes” catholic priests read this at mass today that they would hear Jesus speaking directly to them.
The servant in this parable is the priest at mass distributing the eucharist, and watching over their flock. The good servant is the one that obeys the law, is vigilant of the master’s return and takes care of the flock while the master is gone. The wicked servant is the one that uses his position as steward to take advantage of those put in his charge.
We live in a world with both types, and they are unfortunately very empowered by the leadership in the vatican, and the secular world. I also think about Jesus’ warning about the little ones, and leading them into sin. These wicked servants will have to stand before Jesus at their judgement, and they will have to account for their actions. I would not want to be them on that day. I hope that they will read this gospel today, and take heed of Jesus’ warning. While they still have blood pumping in their veins they have time to repent. I pray that they take the opportunity that God is gracing them with today.
We the members of the master’s flock have a part in this reading today too. We have the grace of being given a choice as to which servant we are to follow. Are you going to follow the James Martin’s or the Joe Biden’s of the world, that pick and choose what parts of the church’s teachings that they are going to follow? Or are we going to follow the good steward, the Bishop Strickland’s, or Father Altman’s of the world, that teach the truth and hold us acountable to the master’s high standard.
It is easy to follow the wicked servant, because they let you get away with being wicked, but in truth they are spirtually abusing you. It is much harder to follow the good steward, because it requires discipline, and fasting, and faithfullness, but the promise of heaven awaits. I pray that we all can find the good steward, that will shepherd us straight to heaven, and that the wicked steward will realize the error of his ways, before it is too late.
Contemplatio (Contemplating)
Take time to simply remain in the presence of God.Resolutio (Resolving)
Make a resolution that will improve your life, your relationships, or your faith. Make it small and attainable, and do it.Oh lord, please help us to find the true path, and to follow the good steward, and to be ready and vigilant when you return. Amen.