Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection October 23, 2024

23rd October 2024 (Wednesday)

Psalter: Week 1

Readings of the Day

First Reading: Ephesians 3:2-12

Brethren: You have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.

Isaiah 12:2-3, 4bcde, 5-6 (R. see 3)

R/. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

Gospel Acclamation

V/. Alleluia

R/. Alleluia

V/. Stay awake, and be ready; the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

R/. Alleluia.

Gospel: Luke 12:39-48

At this time: Jesus said to his disciples, “Know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?” And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, 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 he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful. And that servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.

Daily Gospel Reflection

Wednesday – Twenty-Ninth Week of Ordinary Time

Guidelines: Many times God’s grace is taken for granted. They behave as if grace and salvation are their prerogatives just because of a religious tag. They are wrong

1. In the world of today, there is so much manipulation and infidelity. The church too is infected by this. There are increasing tendencies and cases of the decline of honesty and corrosion of values.

2. In such a context, the word of God reminds us that we are servants and stewards and not masters and bosses. That is why Paul attests that his ministry is that of “stewardship of God’s grace given to him for the people.”

2. We should mark a few of the keywords: ‘Stewardship’, ‘God’s grace’, ‘given by’, and ‘given for.’ Each expression is significant. Stewardship implies humility, responsibility, diligence, and loyalty. In the case of a good steward, there is no room for dishonesty and deception.

3. A good steward is humble because he knows that all that he has and does is given and not his own. It is not for self or self-interests. It is for others. And it is not entangled with mundane things but with God’s grace.

4. In the teaching of Jesus, this stewardship becomes more clear. It is very interesting to note that manager, steward, and servant are interchangeably used. Thereby we may take a cue that a faithful and wise manager or steward is a faithful servant.

5. God with trust and benevolence has entrusted to us the immensity of His grace. We are the dispensers of His grace. Therefore, we must be ever ready and alert so that we are not looted by the evil thief. On the contrary, we must be prepared to meet the Lord whose coming too is unexpected.

6. As good servants and stewards, we must be fair and benevolent toward other servants. We cannot ill-treat them. Nor can we engage and entertain ourselves in worldly pleasures and preoccupations.

Practice: One who is given and has more, will be more accountable. If God has blessed us with immense grace, then we need to be more graceful. But often, this is missing