“That servant who knew his master’s will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely” (Lk 12:47).

Jesus, as did the prophets, spoke in ways that can be jarring. The purpose was to shake his listeners out of a dulled state and to make clear his point. In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus addressed Peter’s question: “Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone” (Lk 12:41)? Jesus was most likely speaking to Peter and the Twelve. They are the ones he entrusted with continuing his mission of the kingdom of God. And just as he had been clear to point out those Pharisees who had abused their positions, he was being clear with Peter and the apostles. They knew his will and better follow it. The reason was that to not make the preparations that Jesus required of them would not only affect the Twelve, but those whose care they have been entrusted with.

We have been witnesses to those in Church leadership who have in effect “beat the menservants and the maidservants, to eat and drink and get drunk” (Lk 12:45) on their own power. Those who have: abused children, covered abuse, skimmed off the top of the donations of the blood and sweat of their parishioners donations, limited access to positions within the leadership of the Church to only male or clergy, been unmerciful confessors, held up the sin of one group or groups while turning a blind eye to others. These and other forms of hypocrisy do irreparable damage.

We need to remember that the world was fallen before the Son of God was born of Mary, reached a deeper darkness at his death, but his light still shown in the darkness. The Resurrection and Ascension into heaven of Jesus has set a fire on this earth that we are to catch and carry. Even when those of the Body of Christ are infected by the darkness we are not to lose heart nor hope. As Bishop Robert Barron writes, we are called out of “the realm of hatred, racism, sexism, violence, oppression, imperialism, what Augustine termed the libido dominandi (the lust to dominate).”

We are to continue the mission of Jesus, to bear his light to a world still in darkness. We are to shine his light so that we and others will recognize the sin present in our lives, repent, and turn back to the True, the Good, and the Beautiful. We are the Church, the Body of Christ. We are the heralds of his Good News. May we seek opportunities to share the healing salve of the Father’s Love we have received with those we meet today.

Link for today’s Mass readings:

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/102517.cfm

Photo: Crucifix front entrance of Our Lady of Florida Spiritual Center

Barron, Robert. Catholicism: A Journey to the Heart of the Faith. (NY: Image, 2011), 149.