Stewardship of God's Grace

 Reflection on Today's Readings, Wednesday, 29th Week in Ordinary Time Year II, October 20th, 2020

Texts: Eph. 3:2-12; Ps. Is. 12:2-6; Luke 12:39-48

Everyone who is truly born of God is a steward of God's grace. Jesus Christ, in today's gospel reading, refers to us as the stewards of God's grace. He says, "Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? Till Christ comes, we have been entrusted with the stewardship of God's grace. Stewardship of God's grace is any act that open up the grace of God to people. Whatever we do, if we do it according to the will of God, it becomes the stewardship of God's grace. In accord with this, St. Peter says, "If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ" (1Pet. 4:11).

St. Paul, in the first reading, is presented as the faithful and wise steward of God's grace. The stewardship entrusted to St. Paul is about how the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the body of Christ, and the partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. St. Paul was chosen to open up the grace of God to the Gentiles by preaching the gospel to them. The Gentiles receive the grace of being heirs in the household of God, members of the body of Christ, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Being heirs in the household of God means we are no longer slaves. Slaves have neither future nor part in the Commonwealth of the household. Being heirs we have access to the riches and wealth of the family. Responding to the call of the gospel we become heirs in the household of God.

Being the members of the body of Christ Jesus means we derive our life from him, he becomes the source of our life. We are no longer the ones who live but Christ lives in us. He lives in us because we live in him. We have no life of own but his life. This means we now live life of grace, a divine life. This is possible only when we live in obedience to him, to his instructions and commands handed down by the apostles and prophets. Hence, St. Paul says, 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 prophets by the Spirit." The scripture says, "They are happy whose life is blameless, who follow God's law! They are happy who do his will, seeking him with all their hearts, who never do anything evil but walk in his ways" (Ps. 119:1-3).

Being partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus means we are now people of hope, awaiting the fulfilment of God's promise: the promise of resurrection, final judgement, new earth and new heaven, eternal life and the kingdom of God.

The stewardship is about preaching the  gospel through which the unsearchable riches of Christ and the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God are made known to all men. Being stewards we are to tell people the riches in Christ and the plan of mystery hidden for ages in God. We are to teach people about Christ and God. 

St. Paul shows that the stewardship is entrusted to the Church. Being members of the Church we share from the stewardship. We do our parts so "that through the Church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places." When we preach the gospel, the wisdom and power of God are not made known to men alone but also to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places. This means the effect of the gospel has both earthly and heavenly dimensions.

The stewardship is the manifestation of God's grace in our lives, for no one is qualified. St. Paul says of his own thus: "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."

The gospel reading speaks of reward to every steward. Every steward will be paid with his own coin: the faithful and wise steward with kingdom of God, and the wicked steward with punishment. An ignorant steward will be given correctional measures. 

Jesus reminds us that we have been given much and so much will be demanded from us. The gospel reading also brings to mind that the day of reckoning will come unexpectedly. Hence, we should always be at alert, watchful, and steady in our stewardship.

Lord our God, give us a firm and strong will to always do your will and not to be weary in hope. Amen.

Rev. Fr. Andrew Olowomuke