Ability, Responsibility, Accountability – Wednesday, 29th week in ordinary time – Lk 12:39-48
The focus now shifts from the “oikonomos” or ‘steward who gives service to the Christian community’, represented in yesterday’s Gospel, to the ‘diligent manager’ in today’s Gospel. Luke presents Jesus as one who not only examines the diligence of the sheep but also the shepherd. Each one seems to have a responsibility in the Church that they must live up to.
The focus of today’s Gospel is the prudent manager who is tasked to look after the master’s household, especially those who work in it. His job is to ensure that they receive their allowances and food at the proper time. The infant Church of St Luke is now slowly developing leadership roles and Luke is aware that power corrupts. He presents these parables of Jesus, as He walks to his death in Jerusalem, as a reminder to all Christian leaders; their call is to be faithful disciples.
Yesterday’s Gospel had the faithful steward being rewarded with a place at the Messianic table with the Lord himself serving. In today’s Gospel the faith manager will be rewarded for his fidelity with being placed in charge of ‘all the master’s possessions’.
When the entire pericope of both the parables (faithful steward verse 32 and faithful manager verse 42) are seen together, one realises that God gives responsibilities to each according to their ability and in the same measure demands accountability. As this pericope winds down, we are reminded in verse 48 that some have been ‘given’ and some have been ‘entrusted’.
Fr. Warner D'Souza is a Catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Bombay. He has served in the parishes of St Michael's (Mahim), St Paul's (Dadar East), Our Lady of Mount Carmel, (Bandra), a ten year stint as priest-in-charge at St Jude Church (Malad East) and at present is the Parish Priest at St Stephen's Church (Cumballa Hill). He is also the Director of the Archdiocesan Heritage Museum and is the co-ordinator of the Committee for the Promotion and Preservation of the Artistic and Historic Patrimony of the Church.
Much is expected from the one who is given much. How true Fr… But often many of us if not all wish the titles of Prophet, Priest & King without considering the commensurate gifts we receive & are per say required to respond in that proportion to HIS FAITHFULNESS & GENEROSITY towards us. May we all seek the enlightenment to primarily respond with all humility to HIS WILL for us..