Vigilant and Faithful Servants

Today's Reflections

Vigilant and Faithful Servants 

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Lk 12:39-48

[Jesus said to his disciples,] ³⁹“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. ⁴⁰You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

⁴¹Then Peter said, “Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?” ⁴²And 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? ⁴³Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so. ⁴⁴Truly, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property.

⁴⁵But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, to eat and drink and get drunk, ⁴⁶then that servant’s master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish him severely and assign him a place with the unfaithful. ⁴⁷That servant who knew his master’s will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely; ⁴⁸and 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.”

Reflection:

Faithful and prudent steward. The Gospel is specifically aimed at those who hold leadership roles in the Church. Jesus wants Peter and other church leaders to be perpetually prepared. This means being faithful to all duties and responsibilities.

Church leaders are called to be responsible. They are to fulfill what is expected of them. They should not lord it over their subordinates. They must discharge their tasks responsibly, seriously, and compassionately. The weak must not be exploited. Leaders must handle people and work with care and commitment.

How do you discharge your duties

when you are in a bad mood?

What do you do when you have extra time,

a surplus of resources,

or an excess of personnel under your care?