Breaking the Word

29^th Week in Ord. Time, Wednesday– 19^th October 2022 — Gospel: Lk 12,39-48

Being Responsible Stewards

The parable focuses on the ministry of leadership and responsibility in the community. The disciples are compared to domestic stewards who are charged with various duties over God’s household (12,32; 22,29-30). Their roles of leadership and special service will be judged based on their faithfulness in carrying out this ministry. However, there is the degree of responsibility that has been entrusted to each one in the community (12,48). The distribution of food is singled out as one of their responsibilities (Acts 6,1). One who is prudent and faithful in dealing with others will be rewarded with additional responsibilities. He is the leader who has the capacity to recognize the signs of the times and act accordingly. Those who fail in their responsibilities, taking advantage of their position, will be judged harshly. They are those who abuse their fellow servants, who eat and drink, who are careless about the Master’s arrival. These leaders are disobedient, faithless, self-indulgent and negligent in their duties. The servant-leaders of Christ’s church must serve with one eye looking for Jesus’ return and the other searching for ways of carrying out their responsibilities, knowing that they must give an account of their service.

St. Luke, Evangelist, Tuesday – 18^th October 2022 — Gospel: Lk 10,1-9

Witness to Communion and Teamwork

Luke was born in Syria and trained as a physician. He was also one of the most extensive writers of the New Testament (Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles). He was one of the seventy-two and worked with Paul, traveling to Rome and converting Jews and Pagans to Christianity. He was also with Paul during several of his confinements. Luke is also credited with being a prolific painter, creating many works of Mary and Jesus.

Discourse to the seventy/seventy-two is found only in the Gospel of Luke. The number seventy-two seems to have their origin to the list of nations in Gen 10, where the Hebrew text lists seventy nations and the Septuagint lists seventy-two. It may also recall Moses’ appointment of seventy elders to help him (Ex 24,1; Num 11,16.24). Therefore, the commissioning of the seventy-two foreshadows the mission of the Church to the nations (Lk 24,27). Jesus had sent the seventy-two strategically, for he was concerned not only about those who would be reached out by the seventy-two but also the seventy-two themselves. The two working together had the opportunity to witness to the communion to which they belonged, namely to the body of Christ. At the same time, they also had the opportunity to provide a witness of their teamwork.