To whom much is Given, Much is expected

Wednesday 21st October 2020. Read Ephesians 3:2-12, Psalm 12:2-6 and Luke 12:39-48

“You also must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an unexpected hour.” (Luke 12:40)

You do not start fixing doors and windows the moment you are told that armed robbers are standing at your gate, No! You don’t wait till when you are famished and lacking energy before you think of what food to cook. You don’t wait till you are rushed to the hospital before you keep your surrounding clean. You do not wait till you are close to the grave before you begin to form new habits or try to live a holy life. The best time to begin is NOW.

Today is another opportunity that God has given you to be better than yesterday. Today is another chance to stretch forth your potential for virtue because you have so much good inside of you that is yet to be explored.

As Jesus was still speaking, Peter stood up to ask “Lord, do you intend this parable for us or for the people?” And Jesus responded by saying: “To whom much is given, much is expected.” The minister is like the Faithful Steward. The way and manner he behaves influences the life of those put under his care. Hence the saying goes: “if the priest is a saint, the parishioners are holy; if the priest is holy, the people are good; if he is good, they are average; if he is average, they are poor; if he is poor, they are bad.” As a minister, can I speak of my “stewardship” in such glowing terms as we hear St. Paul saying in today’s first reading?

Jesus would say: “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.” (Mark 9:42). As a leader, if your life preaches a gospel other than what your lips proclaim, you are an unfaithful steward. Are you the leader of a pious society in the Church? Are you in charge of Children Sunday school or do you lead a Bible Study Group? Do you teach marriage courses? Know that what you do or refuse to do whether in public or in secret affects those under your care. Hence, you must go the extra mile, lead by example feeding the sheep rather than simply feeding on them.

The same principle applies to civil authorities. Painfully, we live in a society where those who have been put in charge of us behave like unfaithful stewards; they maltreat us, allow us to die like flies while they eat and drink gleefully. When we voice out our grievances, instead of listening to us, they turn around to quench protests. As Jesus said “a severe beating awaits” that steward who thinks he is accountable to nobody. It is only a matter of time.

This is a battle between light and darkness; between those who want what is good and those who have been benefiting from what is evil. We shall not get tired both on the streets, on our social media handles and especially on our knees in prayer. Everything that is bad in this Nation must come to an end.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, make me realize my true potentials as a leader in whatever capacity. May I never fall short of your expectations since you have given so much to me. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Homily for Wednesday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Ephesians 3:2-12, Psalm 12:2-6 and Luke 12:39-48).