Warnings and Promises

Homily for Wednesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time

Chapter twelve of St. Luke’s Gospel is filled with some very difficult material. Generally speaking, St. Luke’s Gospel accentuates God’s mercy and forgiveness. The parables that express God’s mercy are tempered by the material that we find in today’s reading. St. Luke has collected various sayings of Jesus which warn all of us that we must be vigilant as we wait for the Lord’s return. To make that point, Saint Luke uses some strong language about punishment for lazy servants.

While we may not think of Jesus in this light, it seems that Saint Peter did not think of him in that way either. His question, “Is this parable meant for us?” seems to indicate that he is also surprised by these warnings. At the same time, for the believer the lesson is clear: as we await the return of Christ at a date and time unknown, we, his servants, are to be vigilant and ready, prudent in our actions, and faithful and honest in our dealings with others.

Writing to the Ephesians, St. Paul reminds us that we are also coheirs with Israel in the promise of Jesus Christ. His words are easier to read because they speak of the wonderful promises that God has in store for the faithful servants who are honest in their dealings with others. Where once the covenant promises pertained only to Israelites, St. Paul is adamant that in Christ those promises and the hope they give belonged to all creation, Jew and Gentile alike. Using powerful images from construction and the household, Paul recalls how we are no longer strangers or sojourners but members of the household of God, for Christ has broken down the wall that once separated both groups.

As we move toward the end of the liturgical year, let us strive to be that faithful and prudent servant who is ready to greet Christ when he returns in glory. Our prayer and our meditations lead us to thoughts of heaven and the glory that we will inherit because we have been adopted as children of God.