Last week we saw the man with overflowing barns called a fool because he did not include facing God in his plans in life and therefore was totally unprepared when death came. This Sunday the same point is pressed home as we hear what Jesus taught regarding the faithful servants found vigilant by the returning master (Luke 12:32-48). In these two Sundays as in the next two, we are being catechized that in life the end must always be considered.
The contemporaries of Jesus
Today’s gospel is one of those texts that illustrate the normal three stages of textual development in the New Testament. On the level of Jesus Himself, the first stage, the parable of the faithful and prudent stewards (12:35-38) was a dig at His listeners during His own ministry. They needed some prodding to see that the arriving master, i.e. the Messiah, is already come and is present among them. Jesus wanted to lead them to the realization that He is the awaited one who was to come.
But the stewards put in charge of the master’s house, i.e. the religious leaders of the people, did not seem to be any better than the others in spite of their expertise on the law and the traditions. They themselves failed to be aware of the Messiah’s presence and so could not alert the people to the saving intervention of God in the teaching and the deeds of Jesus. They slept through the moment, entertaining instead their preferred dream of a political Messiah-King.
The early Christians
AT the second stage of the development of our gospel text within the early Christian community before the writing of the gospel compilation, the parable of the faithful and prudent servants referred to the second coming of the Messiah. The return of the Messiah was being expected sooner than later: the master returning from a wedding feast and vigilantly awaited by his servants who will immediately open the door for him when he knocks whenever and however unexpected like a night prowler (1 Thessalonians 5:2).
Indeed for the early Christians, like a little flock set up against the daunting world of unbelief and paganism, what alone allayed their fear was the certainty of the reign of God (12:32-34). They, in fact, sold their belongings and gave alms, to be rich in what matters to God (12:21; Acts 4:32-37). Thus they strove to acquire for themselves inexhaustible treasures in heaven which would be beyond wear and tear, thievery and moth. They knew that their real treasure and home is in heaven, and that is where they have set their hearts.
The lucan community
IN its third stage of development, the perspective and specific application of the evangelist Luke, the parable is recast and informed with a Passover overlay. The followers of Jesus have battened down for the long haul. But still Christians must be alert, their belts fastened around their waists and their lamps lighted ready, just like in the annual commemoration of the Jewish Passover (Exodus 12:11). Luke sees in the exodus a type of the Christian passage from death to life, which Jesus already accomplished by His own Paschal Mystery of death and resurrection. Among the early believers there was also the ardent hope that the Parousia, Christ’s final and second coming, would coincide with the Passover-Easter feast.
The vigilant servants are truly blessed because the master on his arrival will gird himself and have them recline at table and wait on them. The Christians know this to be already happening in each celebration of the Eucharist. They believe that in the memorial of his Passover Jesus comes and is present in their midst, actually in advance of His final coming. In the Eucharist He waits on them and feeds them with His own body and blood. The faithful and prudent servants know how to be faithful precisely in the regular and full participation in the privileged Eucharistic gathering.
Alálaong bagá, Luke wants to draw attention to the responsibilities of the faithful waiting for the Lord’s return. In what may be termed the fourth and contemporary level of development for our gospel text, we today find in the insight of Luke an urgent challenge. We all must be mindful of our returning Savior: Jesus will surely come again, but we do not know when, so we need to be responsible stewards of the Lord, and never relax in our attitude of being watchful and always prepared. The leaders of the community are especially warned that they are to be accountable for their behavior. Those who do not take seriously the coming of the master and neglect their responsibilities and abuse their charges will be punished most severely. Those unintentionally negligent will suffer the least.
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