Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Matthew 10: 16-23
August 10, 2025 | Sunday

Today’s Gospel

Do not be afraid, little flock, for it has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom. Sell what you have and give alms. Get yourselves purses that do not wear out, and an inexhaustible treasure in the heavens, where no thief comes and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Be ready, dressed for service, and keep your lamps lit, like people waiting for their master to return from the wedding. As soon as he comes and knocks, they will open the door to him. Happy are those servants whom the master finds wide-awake when he comes. Truly, I tell you, he will put on an apron, and have them sit at table, and he will wait on them. Happy are those servants, if he finds them awake when he comes at midnight or daybreak! Pay attention to this: If the master of the house had known at what time the thief would come, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.”

Peter said, “Lord, did you tell this parable only for us, or for everyone?” And the Lord replied, “Imagine, then, the wise and faithful steward, whom the master sets over his other servants, to give them wheat at the proper time. Fortunate is this servant if his master, on coming home, finds him doing his work. Truly, I say to you, the master will put him in charge of all his property.
But it may be that the steward thinks, ‘My Lord delays in coming,’ and he begins to abuse the male servants and the servant girls, eating and drinking and getting drunk. Then the master will come on a day he does not expect, and at an hour he doesn’t know. He will cut him off, and send him to the same fate as the unfaithful.

The servant who knew his master’s will, but did not prepare and do what his master wanted, will be soundly beaten; but the one who does unconsciously what deserves punishment, shall receive fewer blows. Much will be required of the one who has been given much, and more will be asked of the one who has been entrusted with more.

Today’s Reflection

The Book of Wisdom was written by Jews in the Diaspora (Alexandria, Egypt). It rhetorically critiques and contrasts the practices of Jews and Egyptians, recalling their passage in Exodus. The promise given to Abraham is being fulfilled, and their enemies are being punished. It was their moment of Passover. It was also a moment to recall and reflect on their lives in the Diaspora (and again in Egypt) and where they went wrong. The Book of Wisdom challenges the Israelites again to review where they have been unfaithful to the Covenant, and reparations should be made, for God never abandons his people.

The Letter to the Hebrews affirms that “only being faithful to God” can fulfill their hope of restoration. The Letter narrates the faith of the patriarchs. Only by faith can they maintain that inheritance in the promise. As Abraham looked forward to a city founded, built, and designed by God, so, too, should the Israelites look forward, with hope and faith, to that promise.

Contrary to those who criticize Christianity as sentimental toward the poverty and meekness it promotes, Jesus does not condemn worldly possessions. Rather, Jesus gives a stern warning about being “possessed and obsessed” by them. Writing to a prosperous audience, Luke, with a Greek frame of mind, is concerned about the individual as being rewarded or punished. Our attitude toward wealth should be the framework for this attitude. Remember, because of his fidelity after his tribulations, Job was doubly rewarded later. Righteousness in the eyes of the Lord, like a faithful servant who is “watchful” and anticipates his master’s return. The most wonderful and startling promise is the promise of the Lord to serve those who are watchful for coming. How many of us are careful and anticipate the unannounced return of our Lord? How many of us maintain our “righteousness” because we anticipate what Abraham has looked forward to, “a city built, prepared, and designed by the Lord”?

/Vulnerasti, 2025