Wednesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Or Optional Memorial of Saint John of Capistrano, Priest
Luke 12:39-48
We are always in His presence

In today’s passage of the Gospel, Jesus speaks about vigilance and responsibility, calling us to live in constant readiness for the Master’s return. He reminds us that we are stewards of God’s gifts and that we must act with integrity, whether or not we feel His immediate presence. This Gospel challenges the common habit of dividing life into compartments—where some moments feel “sacred” and others “secular.” True discipleship, however, recognises that God is present in every moment of our lives. There is no time when the Master is away, and we always live in the sight of God.

The unfaithful servant represents the danger of complacency. He acknowledges the Master’s return but delays his readiness, assuming there is more time. This reflects our tendency to postpone spiritual growth or ignore our responsibilities, thinking we can focus on God later. Jesus warns that such an attitude is dangerous—life is fragile, and we do not know when we will be called to account.

Moreover, the unfaithful servant follows his own will, neglecting the people entrusted to him. This highlights the importance of our mission to serve others, especially those in need. Faithful stewardship requires us to prioritise God’s will over our own desires, recognising that we are accountable for how we treat those in our care.

In the end, the Gospel reminds us that there will be judgment. This is not to instil fear but to invite us into a life of active faith, where every action is lived in response to God’s love. Vigilance, then, is about living with integrity and being faithful to God’s call, not out of fear of punishment but out of love and awareness that we are always in His presence.

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Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2024