Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Wednesday of the 29th week in Ordinary Time, October 25, 2023
The theme for our meditation today is: Much Trusted and Much Demanded. There is a sacristan in a local parish telling about how busy he is serving in the sacristy and maintaining cleanliness and order in the church. He holds all the door keys in the church and rectory. He holds the keys to the main gate, to the equipment warehouse, to the library, from the sacristy to the audio-visual room, to the halls and offices.
The priests in the parish, the members of the parish council, and even the congregation in general and young people have to deal with the sacristan when they use the facilities in the parish. Many people ask why the sacristan is so important and hold all the keys. The Parish Priest once answered by saying that the sacristan is trusted a lot, so he is demanded to do a lot of work with the keys in his hands. This has been proven to be true that he is truly responsible for all the works. Almost no one doubts his works and responsibilities.
This illustration is similar to what is stated in today's Gospel reading. Jesus teaches us about the readiness of servants who in every moment of their lives are obliged to follow the rhythm and will of their master. We are servants of God who want to make our lives like Jesus Christ our teacher. Each of us looks at ourselves and reads carefully to see if we are truly following God's rhythm and will, the consequence of which is being given trust and then being demanded according to that trust.
What trust looks like and how trust is used in the form of actions, this is to see how important it is and how many demands are met by each person. The apostle Paul's letter to the Romans in the first reading emphasizes that our trust is manifested in the grace given to everyone who believes and is loyal to Christ. Every believer surrenders himself and herself to be used by God, that is, each one is given a gift. The real manifestation of this gift is found in each one’s calling, profession, service, work and mission.
The gift of a husband and a wife or parents requires dedication and demands responsibility in accordance with that gift. These demands are of course much bigger than those for a child. The gift of the priesthood for a parish priest has demands to be fulfilled that are far greater than those of the parishioners. Teachers bear far greater demands than their students. This list must be very long, and for us, the realization of these demands is the way to achieve worthiness and salvation in the presence of God.
Let's pray. In the name of the Father... O most generous Father, strengthen us in every calling and service we undertake, as a way to shape us as Your good servants. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit ... In the name of the Father...