The Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.
But Jesus has never left us either!
“Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of time”.
We must strengthen our faith. Always remember to put God at the center of what we all do.  

 

St. Isaac Jogues / John de Brdbeuf, priest & martyr & Companions, martyrs/

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊  

Ephesians 3:2-12

 You may have

Heard of the graces God bestowed on me for your sake. By a revelation he gave me the knowledge of his mysterious design, as I have explained in a few words. On reading them you will have some idea of how I understand the mystery of Christ.

This mystery was not made known to past generations but only now, through revelations given to holy apostles and prophets. Now the non-Jewish people share the Inheritance; in Christ Jesus the non-Jews are incorporated and are to enjoy the Promise.

This is the Good News of which I have become minister by a gift of God, a grace he gave me, when his power worked in me.

 This grace was given to me, the least among all the holy ones: to announce to the pagan nations the immeasurable riches of Christ and to make clear to all how the mystery, hidden from the beginning in God, the Creator of all things, is to be fulfilled.

Even the heavenly forces and powers will now discover through the Church the wisdom of God in its manifold expression, as the plan is being fulfilledwhich God designed from the begin­­­ning in Christ Jesus, our Lord. In him we re­ceive boldness and confidence to approach God.

 

Is 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6

You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

Luke 12:39-48

 Pay attention to this: If the master of the house had known at what time the thief would come, he would not have let his house be broken into.   You also must be ready, for the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.”

Peter said, “Lord, did you tell this parable only for us, or for everyone?”  And the Lord replied, “Imagine, then, the wise and faithful steward whom the master sets over his other servants to give them food rations at the proper time.  Fortunate is this servant if his master on coming home finds him doing his work. Truly, I say to you, the master will put him in charge of all his property.

But it may be that the steward thinks: ‘My Lord delays in coming,’ and he begins to abuse the menservants and the servant girls, eating and drinking and getting drunk.  Then the master will come on a day he does not expect him and at an hour he doesn’t know. He will cut him off and send him to the same fate as the unfaithful.

 The servant who knew his mas­ter’s will, but did not prepare to do what his master wanted, will be punished with sound blows;   but the one who did what deserved a punishment without know­ing it shall receive fewer blows. Much will be required of the one who has been given much, and more will be asked of the one entrusted with more.

 

Gospel Reflection：

Greater Accountability

Catholic Church is one entity that has received and continues to receive much criticism and brickbats. Take the case of sexual abuse issue. Even when research shows that the prevalence of sexual abuse is the least among catholic clergy in comparison with other public and private enterprises, the world is the angriest towards the Church and with good reason!

For, as Jesus points out today, much will be required of the one who has received much. Given the great responsibility of spiritual and moral! Leadership the Church is entrusted with and the grace given for the same, there is a greater accountability expected of her and her ministers.

As they say, Caesar’s wife must be above suspicion. The Church being the spouse of Christ must live up to Christ’s standard. This applies not only in the affective realm but in every area of intervention; and this applies not only to the clergy, but every Christian. For, each of us has received grace upon grace.