The gospel for Wednesday of the 29th week in Ordinary Time is taken from Luke 12:39 to the 48th verse. Jesus said to his disciples, be sure of this. If the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect the Son of Man will come. Then Peter said, lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone? And the Lord replied, 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. Truly, I say to you, you will put him in charge of all his property. But if the servant says to himself, my master is delaying in coming and begins to beat the men, servants and the maidservants to eat and drink and get drunk, then that servant’s master will come on an unexpected day and an unknown hour and will punish the servant severely and assigned him a place with the unfaithful. That servant who knew his master’s will, but did not make preparations nor act in accordance with his will, shall be beaten severely. And the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will, but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating, shall be beaten only lightly. Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.
Jesus continues the image of being alert, being attentive. And when he makes that statement, then Peter steps in and says, are you talking about us or are you talking about everyone? And then Jesus lets him know, no, I’m talking about you, Peter. About you as the head of the church, about every minister who stands up and speaks my word to people. I want you to know that you must be a servant, never someone who gets intoxicated with power and then gets drunk with power and becomes an obstacle to people finding the message that God has given you to proclaim to a longing, hungry world. You will be held accountable.
After your reflection, I’ll close with a prayer. Closing prayer Father, anyone who stands before others and claims to proclaim the truth that you have shared with us, bless them that they may be open to what it is at the heart of your message that is so important. And also free them from the dangers of having power control over people. Help them only to preach your message of love. And we ask this in Jesus name. Amen.