Wednesday, 29th Week OT A
Ephesians 3:2-12; Isaiah 12:2-3, 4BCD, 5-6; Luke 12:39-48
Today I’d like to reflect on both the first reading and the gospel, offering us profound insights into the mystery of Christ. In this section we discover that, “the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same Body, and co-partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” This message was shocking to the Jewish people, as they had always understood that they were the exclusive recipients of God’s promises.
Perhaps the most surprising aspect of this mystery is what Paul says in verse 10 of today’s reading, “through the Church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places.” Is this amazing, or what? The fact that salvation is available for all the people of the world is revealed even to the angels through the Church!
The next time you hear someone question the significance of the Church’s identity and mission, you might want to refer that person to Ephesians 3:10.
The parable in today’s gospel passage speaks of those who “knew the master’s will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will.” In order to respond faithfully to God’s will, it is imperative that we know God’s what it is. How do we know God’s will? It is by knowing and living the teachings of his Church. By listening to and doing our best to understand and follow the teachings of our local Bishop.
To know God’s will is not always easy. In fact, Jesus emphasizes in today’s gospel reading that there times in which we are simply ignorant of what God wants from us. He makes it clear that, in those times, we are less culpable for sins that are committed out of ignorance of his will than we are for sins that are committed with knowledge of his will.
This truth, however, does not give us a pass to remain in ignorance of what God expects from us, made known through the teachings of the Church. True responsibility requires a genuine attempt to always discern God’s will and to live it, even when it is difficult. The Catholic spiritual teaching calls this “the formation of one’s conscience”. Prayer, spiritual reading, and regular spiritual direction can help us to form our consciences according to God’s will.
Because God trusts us with so much, we have great responsibility. Within the word “responsibility” can be found the word “response.”
How do we respond daily to Our Lord’s invitation to live according to his will, to love our neighbor as ourselves, and to be good stewards of all the gifts he has given to us? Do we make time for prayer? Do we read the Catechism and reflect deeply on the teachings of Mother Church? Do we listen to our Bishop, or do we write him off because his human failings cause us to be critical of him?
Through our commitment to prayer, study and obedience to the teachings of the Church we will be like the faithful servant who does the Master’s will even in his absence. By attempting to faithfully follow the teachings of the Church, we too will be blessed upon our Master’s return.
God bless you.