Fr. Vincent Munari sx
19th Sunday in ordinary time, year C Gospel of Luke 12: 32 - 48
Let me start with a moment of reflection: I keep silent and realize that this word of Jesus is for me now! And the message is salvific.
- Today's Gospel of Luke begins with an exhortation: “Do not be afraid!”
- It continues with a second exhortation in a form of parable about being watchful and wise.
- A clarification about the “Stewart” or manager and what his/her tasks are, is given to Peter and to all of us. 4) The conclusion invites us not to consider ourselves safe too quickly in regard to eternal life.
Let us consider these points briefly one by one.
I* Jesus tells us not to be afraid; fear, in fact, is contrary to faith, and we are sure of being children of God, the loving Father, who is quite capable of taking good care of us. He calls his disciples, Christians, “little flock”. These words indicate something little, humble, not powerful; and if it is a “flock,” it is not violent, because many sheep cannot offer resistance even against one single wolf.
The exhortation to sell and give to the poor is part of the feeling and praxis inside us as Christians; if we trust in any kind of things, we forget God, the treasure in heaven that will never fail; while things or people cannot protect us.
Charity is our safe bank to store our riches because “he who gives to the poor lends to God (Prov. 19, 17)”. Our real richness is not what we have but what we give.
II* The second part contains 2 beatitudes; and these are important, in fact we all look for happiness. So verses 37 and 38 have this word: “Happy” or “Blessed”; (and one is in verse 43).
The context of this part of Luke's Gospel is Eucharistic: the knocking on the door by the Master (See Rev. 3, 20); the Master serving the apostles as He did at the last supper (Cf. John, 13, 12-20). And the sacrament of Jesus present among us is the Eucharist. The presence of Jesus now risen is the source of real joy for us.
III* A Stewart is not an owner but an administrator of a rich man's property. Here it indicates the administrator of God’s graces.
We all Christians have this task to perform: all of us, not only the priests and those who hold authority. And it must be clear because sometimes we act as masters, without referring to God and to Christ’s teaching,
These are the characteristics requested in a Stewart: faithfulness and wisdom; faithfulness to the orders of God, the real master who employs the servants and puts them in charge of all His reaches (see v.43 – 44).
The Stewart or administrator must also be wise, not giving in to earthly desires and being able to control expressions and behaviours that may lead to situations of friction (v. 45).
IV* We are the Stewarts entrusted with much, especially the Word of salvation, the Sacraments and the presence of Jesus in every moment of our life, day and night (see Mt 28, 20).
Jesus, help us to be up to our vocation.
Fr. Vincent Munari sx
19th Sunday in ordinary time, year C Gospel of Luke 12: 32 - 48
Let me start with a moment of reflection: I keep silent and realize that this word of Jesus is for me now! And the message is salvific.
- Today's Gospel of Luke begins with an exhortation: “Do not be afraid!”
- It continues with a second exhortation in a form of parable about being watchful and wise.
- A clarification about the “Stewart” or manager and what his/her tasks are, is given to Peter and to all of us. 4) The conclusion invites us not to consider ourselves safe too quickly in regard to eternal life.
Let us consider these points briefly one by one.
I* Jesus tells us not to be afraid; fear, in fact, is contrary to faith, and we are sure of being children of God, the loving Father, who is quite capable of taking good care of us. He calls his disciples, Christians, “little flock”. These words indicate something little, humble, not powerful; and if it is a “flock,” it is not violent, because many sheep cannot offer resistance even against one single wolf.
The exhortation to sell and give to the poor is part of the feeling and praxis inside us as Christians; if we trust in any kind of things, we forget God, the treasure in heaven that will never fail; while things or people cannot protect us.
Charity is our safe bank to store our riches because “he who gives to the poor lends to God (Prov. 19, 17)”. Our real richness is not what we have but what we give.
II* The second part contains 2 beatitudes; and these are important, in fact we all look for happiness. So verses 37 and 38 have this word: “Happy” or “Blessed”; (and one is in verse 43).
The context of this part of Luke's Gospel is Eucharistic: the knocking on the door by the Master (See Rev. 3, 20); the Master serving the apostles as He did at the last supper (Cf. John, 13, 12-20). And the sacrament of Jesus present among us is the Eucharist. The presence of Jesus now risen is the source of real joy for us.
III* A Stewart is not an owner but an administrator of a rich man's property. Here it indicates the administrator of God’s graces.
We all Christians have this task to perform: all of us, not only the priests and those who hold authority. And it must be clear because sometimes we act as masters, without referring to God and to Christ’s teaching,
These are the characteristics requested in a Stewart: faithfulness and wisdom; faithfulness to the orders of God, the real master who employs the servants and puts them in charge of all His reaches (see v.43 – 44).
The Stewart or administrator must also be wise, not giving in to earthly desires and being able to control expressions and behaviours that may lead to situations of friction (v. 45).
IV* We are the Stewarts entrusted with much, especially the Word of salvation, the Sacraments and the presence of Jesus in every moment of our life, day and night (see Mt 28, 20).
Jesus, help us to be up to our vocation.
Fr. Vincent Munari sx