Wednesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time

Today's Scripture

As a person who grew up in a scouting family and now have young scouts of my own today’s readings strike me deeply about being a prepared disciple.  In the letter to the Roman’s, St. Paul reminds us that we are to present ourselves to God as people who have been raised from death to life.  For Paul this means that we are dead to sin and alive to God’s law of love. 
  

Laws imply that something that needs to be followed, however most laws seem more like suggestions in today’s culture.  It is hard to be an authentic disciple when we build in extra wiggle room to negotiate with God.  Paul’s letter is still challenging today. “Sin must not reign over your mortal bodies.” (Rom 6:12)  For Paul this is not a polite request, but an expectation.  Sin leads away from Christ and toward Christ is the only viable direction.  Thanks to Jesus we have been freed from the slavery of sin in order to live for the Lord.

Living up to expectations is not easy, especially as today’s readings set the bar high.  In our Gospel from Luke today Jesus makes clear what is required of us.  We are to be faithful and prudent stewards of all the gifts we are given by God.  Jesus gives his disciples and now us a choice.  In the gospel parable both stewards know God’s will, however they have to choose which path to follow.

Choosing the path for your life in part depends on one’s level of preparedness.  Being a prepared disciple means being in a consistent close relationship with the Lord.   Being a prepared disciple living obediently according to God’s will at every moment.  This is of course no simple task.  It demands that we are all in with God.  In that way, when the master calls we can present ourselves to God and say, “Speak Lord your servant is listening.”

“Lord, we lift up to you this day, the one sin that impedes us from knowing you deeply.  Help us to realize that our freedom has already be won, so that with an obedient heart, You will find us prepared for both this world and the next.  Amen!” 

 - Michael Montgomery