29th week, Wed. Oct. 24: Scripture Readings

Scripture: Romans 6:12-18. Psalm 124:1-8. Luke 12:39-48. Lectionary # 475:

Our Evangelist Luke is a master literary artist when it comes to narrative.
We have been enjoying this skill while listening or reading the Gospel
selections. Usually whenever Luke has someone asking a question it leads
to narrative and to what Jesus is teaching. Remember we are still on the
long journey with Jesus from chapters 9-19 wherein we receive many
instructions on discipleship. Luke always has Jesus responding to the
question coming from someone in the crowd, or from a scribe of the law, or
from one of his disciples. Today it is Peter who asks the question. He may
be representing church leadership here. Jesus continues to teach with
picturesque language through imagery, metaphors, and parables. The parable
contains his teaching today. These forms require thinking, reflecting, and
meditation on our part to really get the point and then apply it to
ourselves not to others! We are involved in becoming more committed to
discipleship with Jesus as we pray over what he says and teaches. We are
called to be watchful stewards of the goods we have and the talents and
gifts in our own personalities. The Lord will return when we least expect
him and evaluate our stewardship. He comes like a thief in the night.
Peter is asking whether this parable is meant just for the disciples or for
others. Jesus realizes that Peter has no corner on the market when it
comes to becoming better stewards of what is entrusted to each one of us.
We all are to be ready when Jesus comes. The summons is clear, "Be on your
watch, therefore, the Son of Man (Jesus as one of us) will come when you
least expect him." Fr. Karris, O.F.M., a Lucan exegete, has this to say to
those who are in leadership positions whether ecclesial or secular:
"...leaders are stewards and not members of some elite who are entitled to
regard God's manifold gifts as a free ticket to ignore him and to
navel-gaze at their own importance. Yet when things are wrong with the
Church are Church leaders always to blame?" After all things considered,
each one of us is "church" and the laity are over ninety-nine percent of
the Church. Amen.