10/22/2025 (Wednesday) Today’s Gospel reading: Luke 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.
40 You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”
41 Then Peter said, “Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?”
42 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?
43 Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so.
44 Truly, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property.
45 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,
46 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.
47 That servant who knew his master’s will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely;
48 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.”
10/22/2025 (Wednesday) Today’s Gospel reflection / homily / sermon: Luke 12:39-48
There’s a quiet but powerful truth behind the words of Jesus in this Gospel passage: each of us is entrusted with something valuable, and God expects us to use it wisely. The passage speaks of servants waiting for their master’s return, some faithful and alert, others careless and unprepared. At its heart lies a timeless lesson: life is stewardship, not ownership. Everything we have including our time, talents, relationships, work, and even opportunities is something God has placed in our hands, and one day, we will give an account of how we used them.
In our modern world, it’s easy to forget this sacred trust. We live in a culture that often values personal success more than responsibility. People work tirelessly for recognition, accumulate wealth, or chase comfort without asking whether these things serve God’s purpose. Yet the Gospel reminds us: it’s not how much we have that matters, but how faithfully we care for what has been given. Faithfulness is not about grand gestures; it’s about integrity in small, daily acts.
Consider a nurse who patiently tends to patients in the night shift, unseen and uncelebrated. Or a father who quietly sacrifices personal comfort to send his children to school. Or a teacher who continues to guide students with kindness even when society undervalues the profession. These are examples of faithful servants, people who understand that their role, however small, has eternal meaning when done with love and devotion.
On the other hand, the Gospel warns against complacency. When a person begins to think, “I can do what I wantbecause no one’s watching,” it’s the beginning of moral decay. In workplaces, it can appear as dishonesty including taking what’s not ours or neglecting our duties. In relationships, it shows when we take others for granted, assuming they’ll always be there no matter how we treat them. Spiritually, it happens when we live as if God’s return or judgment will never come. We lose the sense of accountability that gives our life direction and depth.
But being prepared for the Lord’s coming isn’t about living in fear. It’s about living with awareness and purpose. It means choosing to stay faithful even when no one is watching. The faithful servant is not perfect, but consistent—continuing to serve, love, forgive, and hope, even in the ordinary rhythm of life. Readiness is not achieved through anxiety but through habit, specifically, daily choices that keep our hearts aligned with God’s will.
In today’s society, where distractions are constant, “being watchful” can mean something as simple as protecting our prayer time, being present with our families, or staying true to what is right even when it’s unpopular. The temptation to drift spiritually is strong. Being so much busy with work, entertainment, and comfort can numb our awareness of what truly matters. That’s why vigilance is a spiritual discipline. It keeps our hearts sensitive to God’s presence and our lives attuned to His purposes.
Jesus’ message also reminds us that the greater our blessings, the greater our responsibility. Those who have been given much like knowledge, wealth, influence, or leadership are called to serve more, not less. In our time, that means professionals using their skills for the good of others, business owners ensuring fairness to their workers, or leaders using authority to uplift rather than control. Responsibility in God’s eyes is not measured by results, but by faithfulness and love.
Ultimately, this Gospel calls us to a life of meaningful stewardship. Each day is an opportunity to act with purpose, to bless others, and to grow closer to the heart of God. When we live this way, we are not just waiting for the Master’s return; we are already welcoming Him in every act of goodness we do. The world may not see, but God sees. And one day, every quiet act of faithfulness will be honored, not for its magnitude, but for its sincerity.
So today, whether you are leading a team, caring for your family, or simply doing your daily tasks, remember: you are a steward of God’s gifts. Be faithful in the small things. Live with purpose. For in doing so, you will always be ready, not just for God’s return, but ready to meet Him each day in the love you share and the life you live.
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