Daily Gospel Reflection
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October 23, 2019
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 servants, to give them their allowance of food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant 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 servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and if he begins to beat the other servants, men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know, and will punish that servant severely, and put him with the unfaithful.
“That servant 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.”
When Jesus uses words such as “required” and “demanded”, it gives me pause. When I reflected on this challenging gospel, a dialogue between Jesus and me unfolded in my mind
“I want to follow your commandments as best as I can. Please let that be enough, Lord. Besides, I know plenty of people who have more than I do. They drive newer cars, have nicer clothes and take better vacations. Surely you don’t mean me, Lord,” I reason.
But Jesus’ line from the gospel returns to me: “To whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.”
As a husband and father of six, not even my flimsy attempt at rationalization can help me escape that one. Parents know as well as anyone what an awesome responsibility it is to be entrusted with children. No doubt about it, the Lord is not only speaking to me, he is demanding that I respond with my whole life.
“So what do you demand, Lord?”, I dare to ask, knowing that, although I desperately want his approval, I fear failure. The stakes are very high.
“Teach your children about me. Tell them that I created them out of love and I desire what is best for them. Teach them to pray. Share your Catholic faith with them. I desire that they pick up their crosses and follow me.”
“More than anything, Lord, both my wife and I want that for them. But this is hard, Lord. Most of the world around us doesn’t value this.”
“Precisely”, he says in reply. “To help you, I’ve made the sacraments and prayers of the Church available to you and your family. Receive the Eucharist, go to confession, pray the rosary. These will give you the graces you need to continue on your faith journey. Demanding for sure, but stay close to these, and you will be ready at that unexpected hour.”
Prayer
Taking you for granted, dear Father, is as dangerous as taking any of our important relationships for granted. There’s too much at stake, and Jesus has promised that there will be repercussions for those who are lackadaisical—not just towards you, but to everyone who depends on us. We are honored that you would entrust so much to us, yet we are aware of our weaknesses and fears. We need your help and that of your Spirit so that we can fulfill your needs and desires. Amen.
Saint of the Day
St. John of Capistrano, nicknamed the “soldier saint,” helped liberate Belgrade from a military siege at the age of seventy.
John was born in Capistrano, Italy, in 1385, and studied law. After practicing as a lawyer in the courts of Naples, he was appointed the governor of Perugia. During a war with a neighboring city, he was imprisoned. During his imprisonment, John began to study theology, and when he was released in 1416, he forswore his secular profession and entered a Franciscan community at Perugia.
John studied with St. James of the March and St. Bernardine of Siena, and, through their guidance and his theological training, grew into a brilliant preacher. John's reputation as a charismatic and powerful preacher grew. John traveled throughout Europe and Russia preaching to large crowds and helping to establish Franciscan communities.
When John was well into old age, at the age of seventy, the Holy Roman Empire was facing the daunting military power of the Ottoman Empire. Both Rome and Vienna were under threat of siege. Thus, John was commissioned by Pope Callixtus III to incite in his enthralled audiences' interest in a crusade to oppose the invasion. Extending his leadership beyond simply the pastoral sphere, John also served as a leader in the defense of Belgrade and marched at the head of 70,000 soldiers who won a decisive victory in Belgrade in 1456. John died only three months later.
St. John of Capistrano has a unique presence in the New World as well. In 1776, Spanish Franciscan missionaries built a mission in southern California and named it San Juan Capistrano. The stone church they erected is the oldest building still in use in California. It is the only surviving structure that has documented proof that St. Junipero Serra celebrated Mass here. For a long time, that church was the largest building in Southern California. One unusual tradition surrounding the mission church is a celebration involving the American cliff swallow. The church was located next to two rivers, providing an abundance of insects for the birds. Each year, the swallows journey six thousand miles to Argentina for the winter and travel back in the spring. Their return is welcomed with a famous celebration, Fiesta de las Golondrinas, which takes place on March 19, the feast of St. Joseph.
St. John of Capistrano is the patron saint of military chaplains and of those who work as judges and in various legal professions. Some of his relics rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart.
St. John of Capistrano, patron saint of military chaplains and judges—pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. John of Capistrano is used with permission from Catholic Online. Last accessed October 4, 2024.