Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: October 23, 2024

Date: Wednesday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture Text: Luke 12:39-48

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, he will put him in charge of all his property. But 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, then that servant’s master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish the servant severely and assign him a place with the unfaithful. That servant who knew his master’s will but did not make preparations nor act in accord 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.”

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel text for today from the Gospel of Luke brings us Jesus’ counsel to the disciples concerning the discernment of the LORD’s will for them and their faithfulness to the LORD. As disciples, we are “entrusted with much,” and so much will be required of us.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

As a disciple, “entrusted with much,” do I seek the will of the LORD and the help of the Spirit in living out that will day to day?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, Beloved Son, Most Holy Spirit, always and everywhere your love for us shines through to light our way to You and to our true selves and purpose in this life. Help us to prayerfully discern your will for us individually and collectively, to work tirelessly and with loving devotion toward realizing that will, and to do so with joy. Amen.