Don't Forget God's Plan

Readings for Wednesday October 20, 2010

First Reading: Ephesians 3:2-12
Responsorial Psalm: Isaiah 12
Gospel: Luke 12:39-48


Then Peter said, “Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?” And the Lord replied, “Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his servants to distribute the food allowance at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so. Truly, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property. But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, to eat and drink and get drunk, then that servant’s master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish the servant severely and assign him a place with the unfaithful. That servant who knew his master’s will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely; and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating shall be beaten only lightly. Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.” (Lk 12:41-48)

I always enjoyed the diligence of the the dwarfs from the famous fairytale Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. They really took such a positive attitude towards their work (except for grumpy, he wasn't exactly the most positive dwarf). But they always went out doing very hard labor and singing along the way in perfect harmony. Now how many of us do that on our way to the office? I know that I do not exactly skip along the way to my desk. But I imagine if more of us went about our work with the positive attitude and diligence, then we would actually find joy from our work and not think of it as such a burden.

In today's gospel we are are challenged on the work we are doing in our faith journey. We are told of two servants, one who does the work of his master, and is thereby rewarded. The other abuses his lack of supervision, and when the master returns finds the servant abusing his role, he is punished severely. This parable teaches us that it is not enough to just show up to do the work of God, but we need to stay active while working. We do not know when the master will come, but we should be ready at all times from when he does.

What sort of work should we be doing? Are we spending enough time in prayer? Are we giving enough of our money to the church? Are we giving enough of ourselves to others? Are we at the right place of employment? God has a plan for us, and He has things that He calls each of us to do. The point is to ask God, He will always show you the way and the plan that He has for you. It is during these times of discernment that we must have great patience and trust in our Lord. Saint Paul tells us today that we have "access through faith in him," and it is through this access that we can have "boldness of speech and confidence."

Many times in our lives, we get so consumed with our own plans, we tend to forget about the plans of God and the plans of those close to us. God's plan is for us to join Him one day in heaven ... but if at the time we are called we are not working, then we will not be granted the eternal blessing of our heavenly father, instead we will be like the servant who abused his role and was greatly punished.

So who's plan are you following ... yours or Gods?

Hi ho, hi ho, its off to work we go!

Father above, we thank you for the gift of this day and the gift of our lives. We praise you for your glory and we pray for your will to be done in our lives. God, you are the make of all that is good, and we ray for that goodness in our lives. Help us to cast off the things of this world that try to hold us back from you. Lord, you are our God let us follow no others in our lives. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.