Responsibility Requires Confidence

November 10: Monday of Week 32 of Ordinary Time, Year A-II:

Titus 1:1-9; Psalm 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6; Luke 17:1-6

Click here for the complete text of today’s readings.

What is Jesus saying to us as stewards of his kingship?

(To support  Reaching Jesus: 5 Steps to a Fuller Life ... Step Five ) 

Responsibility Requires Confidence

“He revealed his word through the proclamation 

with which I have been entrusted” (Titus 1:3).

The starting point of stewardship are the Psalm words: “The Lord’s are the earth and its fullness.” Because God is first and last in charge, Jesus says, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.” Only confidence in God’s power gives us courage in our powerlessness to transform the world.

What Paul wrote to Titus, Jesus says to every person baptized into a share in his kingship: “I left you [wherever you are] so that you might set right what remains to be done.” Each of us has different gifts and talents, different opportunities that depend on each one’s circumstances, and some particular responsibilities. Whatever they are, Jesus says to us, “Do business with these until I come back” (Luke 19:13). And we all have the general responsibility to “set right what remains to be done” in establishing Christ’s reign until he comes again.

Jesus shocks us saying, “If your brother sins, rebuke him.” It seems contrary to: “Do not judge…the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but not notice the log in your own eye” (Matthew 7:1). Nevertheless, we have to speak up to safeguard both the common good and every individual. We are “our brother’s keeper” (Genesis 4:9).

PRAY: “Lord, give me the courage of faith.

PRACTICE: Don’t keep silence due to fear.