Daily Readings - Wed Oct 24 2018
Ephesians
1By reason of this grace, I, Paul, am a prisoner of Jesus Christ, for the sake of you Gentiles2Now certainly, you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God, which has been given to me among you3that, by means of revelation, the mystery was made known to me, just as I have written above in a few words4Yet, by reading this closely, you might be able to understand my prudence in the mystery of Christ5In other generations, this was unknown to the sons of men, even as it has now been revealed to his holy Apostles and Prophets in the Spirit6so that the Gentiles would be co-heirs, and of the same body, and partners together, by his promise in Christ Jesus, through the Gospel7Of this Gospel, I have been made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God, which has been given to me by means of the operation of his virtue8Although I am the least of all the saints, I have been given this grace: to evangelize among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ9and to enlighten everyone concerning the dispensation of the mystery, hidden before the ages in God who created all things10so that the manifold wisdom of God may become well-known to the principalities and powers in the heavens, through the Church11according to that timeless purpose, which he has formed in Christ Jesus our Lord12In him we trust, and so we approach with confidence, through his faith
Luke
39But know this: that if the father of the family knew at what hour the thief would arrive, he would certainly stand watch, and he would not permit his house to be broken into40You also must be prepared. For the Son of man will return at an hour that you will not realize.41Then Peter said to him, "Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or also to everyone?42So the Lord said: "Who do you think is the faithful and prudent steward, whom his Lord has appointed over his family, in order to give them their measure of wheat in due time43Blessed is that servant if, when his Lord will return, he will find him acting in this manner44Truly I say to you, that he will appoint him over all that he possesses45But if that servant will have said in his heart, ‘My Lord has made a delay in his return,’ and if he has begun to strike the men and women servants, and to eat and drink, and to be inebriated46then the Lord of that servant will return on a day which he hoped not, and at an hour which he knew not. And he will separate him, and he will place his portion with that of the unfaithful47And that servant, who knew the will of his Lord, and who did not prepare and did not act according to his will, will be beaten many times over48Yet he who did not know, and who acted in a way that deserves a beating, will be beaten fewer times. So then, of all to whom much has been given, much will be required. And of those to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be asked
Sermon
In today’s readings, we hear St. Paul speak of his mission to the Gentiles and the mystery of God’s plan, while Jesus teaches a parable about being prepared for the Master’s return. Both readings call us to faithfulness and trust in God’s plan.
In Ephesians, Paul humbly acknowledges his role as a minister of the Gospel, despite being the least of the saints. He emphasizes that God’s plan is universal, embracing all people, and that the Church is a sign of God’s wisdom to the world. This reminds us that our faith is not just for ourselves but for the wider world. In the Gospel, Jesus warns us to be vigilant and faithful stewards, using the parable of the master returning unexpectedly. The faithful steward is blessed, while the unfaithful one faces judgment. This teaches us that our actions have consequences and that we must be prepared to give an account of our lives.
These readings remind us to live with purpose and responsibility. Like Paul, we are called to share the Gospel in our own way, trusting in God’s plan. Like the stewards in the parable, we must use the gifts and talents we’ve been given wisely, knowing that we will be held accountable. Let us approach life with faithfulness and trust, knowing that God’s plan is unfolding in our lives. May we be found faithful when the Master returns.