Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward

24 OCTOBER (Lk 12,39-48)

In the holy Church the role of administrator is definitely the one of the Apostle. Jesus Christ gave himself entirely in the hands of his apostles and their successors. Due to them the grace and truth flood the earth. Due to them darkness is contrasted. Die to them the gates of hell are closed and those of Paradise are open.
Paul, a slave of God and apostle of Jesus Christ for the sake of the faith of God’s chosen ones and the recognition of religious truth, in the hope of eternal life that God, who does not lie, promised before time began, who indeed at the proper time revealed his word in the proclamation with which I was entrusted by the command of God our savior, to Titus, my true child in our common faith: grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our savior. For this reason I left you in Crete so that you might set right what remains to be done and appoint presbyters in every town, as I directed you, on condition that a man be blameless, married only once, with believing children who are not accused of licentiousness or rebellious. For a bishop as God’s steward must be blameless, not arrogant, not irritable, not a drunkard, not aggressive, not greedy for sordid gain, but hospitable, a lover of goodness, temperate, just, holy, and self-controlled, holding fast to the true message as taught so that he will be able both to exhort with sound doctrine and to refute opponents” (Tt 1,1-9).

St. Paul has this lofty consciousness of his ministry. He is not the master, he is not the lord, he is not even the Autarch, he is simply a servant of Jesus Christ and an administrator of the mysteries of God. This office requires a very high fidelity, without which in a few moments the whole work of redemption and salvation can be destroyed.

Thus should one regard us: as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Now it is of course required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. It does not concern me in the least that I be judged by you or any human tribunal; I do not even pass judgment on myself; I am not conscious of anything against me, but I do not thereby stand acquitted; the one who judges me is the Lord. Therefore, do not make any judgment before the appointed time, until the Lord comes, for he will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will manifest the motives of our hearts, and then everyone will receive praise from God” (1Cor 4,1-5).

That St. Paul had this perfect knowledge of himself is testified clearly to the Corinthians. He is not the master of the faith. He is the servant of the joy of all believers in Christ Jesus. He is the friend of the that must lead all to their only Bridegroom and Lord.

Not that we lord it over your faith; rather, we work together for your joy, for you stand firm in the faith. For I am jealous of you with the jealousy of God, since I betrothed you to one husband to present you as a chaste virgin to Christ” (2Cor 1,24; 11,2).

Today, pastoral programs for others are developed. Jesus tells all of us that in some way participate in the administration of the mysteries of God: be faithful to your ministry, your role, and your office. Be faithful to the Gospel.

Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” Then Peter said, “Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?” And the Lord replied, “Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his servants to distribute (the) food allowance at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so. Truly, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property. But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, to eat and drink and get drunk, then that servant’s master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish him severely and assign him a place with the unfaithful. That servant who knew his master’s will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely; and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating shall be beaten only lightly. Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.

Fidelity is personal. It is for us, not for others. Life is from the fidelity of each.

Virgin Mary, Mother of the Redemption, Angels, and Saints teach us loyalty.