October 23, 2019

Lk 12: 39-48

‘But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.’

Peter said, ‘Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for everyone?’ And the Lord said, ‘Who then is the faithful and prudent manager whom his master will put in charge of his slaves, to give them their allowance of food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. But if that slave says to himself, “My master is delayed in coming”, and if he begins to beat the other slaves, men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk, the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and put him with the unfaithful. 

That slave who knew what his master wanted, but did not prepare himself or do what was wanted, will receive a severe beating. But one who did not know and did what deserved a beating will receive a light beating. From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded

New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.

Paying attention to the magis

Have you ever missed your exit or bus stop on a daily commute because you zoned out? The combination of the routine’s familiarity and the busy day clouding your head can make it easy to do.

So too can habit, busyness, stress, or boredom affect our collaboration with Jesus in our daily life.

We enter the routine: start the day in prayer, be kind to strangers we encounter, have patience with our coworkers and family, attend Mass on Sundays, donate to a charity we support, and so on.

But are we really awake?  Are we attentive to the new and creative ways Jesus might be asking us to collaborate with him?  Are we using our time, gifts, energy, talents and voice to care for our master’s possessions, that is to say God’s world and God’s people?

Are we paying attention to the magis Jesus calls us to today?

—Amy Ketner is the Coordinator of Hispanic/Latino Ministry at St. Mary Student Parish in Ann Arbor, MI.

Prayer

Dear Lord, help me keep my eyes on you…To you I want to give all that I am.  Let me be generous, not stingy or hesitant. Let me give you all – all that I have, think, do, and feel.  It is yours, O Lord. Please accept it and make it fully your own.

—Henri Nouwen