Luke 12: 39-48
Jesus said to his disciples:
“But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.”
Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for everyone?” And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and prudent manager whom his master will put in charge of his slaves, to give them their allowance of food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. But if that slave says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and if he begins to beat the other slaves, men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk, the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and put him with the unfaithful. That slave who knew what his master wanted, but did not prepare himself or do what was wanted, will receive a severe beating. But the one who did not know and did what deserved a beating will receive a light beating. From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.”
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Faithful Stewardship
Since my arrival in the United States in 2021, I have observed how easily we can become focused on personal success, career, and achievement, thinking primarily about “I,” “me,” and “myself.” Yet today’s Gospel calls us to a different way of living: to be ready and faithful stewards of all that God has entrusted to us. We may not know when the Lord will come, but we know how we are called to live: with attentiveness, generosity, and love.
In the Ignatian tradition, everything is a gift. Our time, talents, relationships, responsibilities, and resources are entrusted to us not merely for ourselves, but for God’s greater glory and the service of others. Jesus reminds us, “From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required.”
Being faithful does not always mean doing extraordinary things. It means caring for those around us, fulfilling our responsibilities with integrity, and recognizing God’s presence in ordinary moments.
Today, ask yourself: What has God entrusted to me, and how can I be a more faithful steward of it?
—Fr. Taroh Amédé, SJ, originally from Chad, is a member of the West Africa Province, and currently serves as development officer for American Jesuits International.
—Fr. Taroh Amédé, SJ, originally from Chad, is a member of the West Africa Province, and currently serves as development officer for American Jesuits International.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, help me to recognize everything I have as a gift from you. Keep me from living only for myself, and teach me to use my time, talents, relationships, and resources for your greater glory and the service of others. Give me a generous and attentive heart to care faithfully for all that you have entrusted to me.
May I recognize your presence in the ordinary moments of each day and serve you with love and integrity. Amen.
—Fr. Taroh Amédé, SJ