October 21, 2020

Lk 12: 39-48

“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.

Living my gifts to the fullest

The last phrase of today’s Gospel is simplified into a mantra I often say, “to whom much is given, much is expected.”  My blessings are abundant, starting with my parents, and moving through my life experiences. I have been given so many opportunities.  While many of these opportunities have been blessings, many have been challenges and dark nights of the soul.  Are these challenges and darkness the cost from having received so many blessings?  Surely not!  I often ask myself, how am I to use this experience? I believe we all have much to give no matter our circumstances.  As I continue my life journey, I ask myself, how am I expected to live this day?  How am I expected to live my gifts to the fullest?  

—Therese Gillman, OSF is a Franciscan Sister of Oldenburg, Indiana.  She is now the Development Director of the Jesuit Spiritual Center at Milford after previously serving seven years as its Executive Director.

Prayer

Loving God, give me the strength and wisdom to put into action the blessings of my life so others might come to know the Good News. Amen.

—Therese Gillman, OSF