29TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Psalter: Week 4 / (Green/White)
St. Anthony Mary Claret, bishop
Ps 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 17
Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
1st Reading: Rom 5:12, 15b, 17-19, 20b-21
Therefore, sin entered the world through one man; and through sin, death; and later on, death spread to all humankind, because all sinned. Such has been the fall, but God‘s gift goes far beyond. All died, because of the fault of one man, but how much more does the grace of God spread, when the gift he granted, reaches all, from this unique man, Jesus Christ.
If death reigned through the disobedience of one and only one person, how much more, will there be a reign of life, for those who receive the grace, and the gift of true righteousness, through the one person, Jesus Christ. Just as one transgression brought sentence of death to all, so, too, one man‘s good act has brought justification and light to all; and, as the disobedience of only one, made all sinners, so the obedience of one person, allowed all to be made just and holy.
The law itself, introduced later on, caused sin to increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, and, as sin caused death to reign, so grace will reign, in its own time, and, after making us just, and friends of God, will bring us to eternal life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Gospel: Lk 12:35-38
Be ready, dressed for service, and keep your lamps lit, like people waiting for their master to return from the wedding. As soon as he comes and knocks, they will open the door to him. Happy are those servants whom the master finds wide-awake when he comes. Truly, I tell you, he will put on an apron, and have them sit at table, and he will wait on them. Happy are those servants, if he finds them awake when he comes at midnight or daybreak!
REFLECTION:
In the gospel of Luke, this current parable and other ‘servant‘ parables have an ecclesiological interpretation. There are two important Greek words that the evangelist used: doulos and oikonomos. Both the terms doulos (‘servant,‘ ‘slave‘) and oikonomos (‘steward,‘) refer to the one who renders service to the Christian community. These terms connote that the officials of the community are called to be faithful to their responsibility. As leaders, they must avoid causing problems within the church.
The responsible performance of the obligation to the community is not just meant for the leaders themselves. All Christians are called to be vigilant and be prepared always. If we faithfully do our duties as Christians (as parents, children, parishioners, ministers, etc.) we will receive the promised reward. Jesus assures us by saying, ”Truly, I tell you, he will put on apron, and have them sit at the table, and he will wait on them.” (v.37) ”This role reversal is significant and underscores God‘s absolute gratuity. The servant who is faithful during the time of fulfillment before the parousia will share in the eschatological banquet.” (Karris, 704)
If we have the readiness to serve the Christian community; willingness to contribute for the welfare of the Church; carefulness to avoid causing harm to the church members and officials; we will be like those people who are ”ready, dressed for service and with lamps lit,” waiting for the master‘s return from the wedding.
Daily Reflection
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Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL
With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines
Readings and Reflections
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