Matthew 24:42-51 Who is the Faithful Servant?
While driving on one of the many deserted road in Texas, I came across a sign that read, “Live today as if there were no tomorrow because one day you will be right!” That was five years ago and it stuck hard in my head. We have a limited amount of time to do so much and I have really tried to live my priesthood as if there were no tomorrow. This sign has been a blessing for me. It was a sign from God.
The Lord reminds us, “Stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.” We don’t have to worry about 2012. There is nothing to fear. Chances are we will die before then! “For an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” Physicists and Astronomers have attempted to understand the end of the world scientifically. They have asserted a global warming that would destroy life or make it no longer possible to sustain. There have been other hypotheses, but the Lord is not referring to any of them. The end of the world is a judgment, and comes, not from any natural development but from the sovereign will of God (Romano Guardini).
Who is the faithful and prudent servant? He is the one whom the master put in charge of his household to distribute to them their food at the proper time. Therefore to whom is the Lord referring to? To his priests - his disciples - his ministers. The food that came down from Heaven must be distributed to all the members of the household. We know that this food refers to the Word of God and to the Word made flesh (The Eucharist).
“Jesus said to his disciples…” This teaching was not meant for the crowd, but for those in charge of the crowd. They are to stay awake! They are to remain faithful till the last hour because they are in charge and because they are to serve. St. Paul reminds his brothers and sisters that in Christ they were enriched in every way, and that they are not lacking in any spiritual gift (cf. 1Cor 1:1-9).
“But if the wicked servant begins to beat his fellow servants,… eat and drink with drunkards,… the master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish him severely and assign him a place with the hypocrites!” Woe to you Pharisees and scribes. Woe to us priests and ministers of the Lord! “For there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.”
The best definition I ever heard of a priest came from a very humble Cardinal in Rome. “A priest is a man of his word; a man of the Word; a man made Word.” He is another Christ - a living, breathing icon of the Lord. We see many icons of the Lord on walls. A priest is a living icon of Jesus Christ. Let us pray to the Master of the vineyard; of the household; of life itself, to send holy and numerous men after his Holy Son’s heart! “I will praise your name for ever, Lord!” (Ps 145:1) This is what it is all about!
The year of the priest is over, but not for the priest. Today let a priest know that he is very much appreciated! Pray for him!
We are very thankful for you, Fr. Alfonse! You are a great example for many people. I know that you are willing to make sacrifices to help others. I know this because I have seen it. You're exhausted and you still come. I always get the impression that during your homily you let the Holy Spirit guide you. Because they are always good, and I never see you with notes. Also, you share stories that show your own human vulnerability, which only encourages people to listen. Thank you for everything. We love you and pray for you. - David
ReplyDeleteWe thank God for you, Fr. Alfonse, and keep you in our prayers! Thank you for being such an outpouring of the Holy Spirit!!! May God continue His good work through you!!!
ReplyDeletePraying for you Fr.Alfonse!
ReplyDelete"The food that came down from Heaven must be distributed to all the members of the household. We know that this food refers to the Word of God and to the Word made flesh (The Eucharist)."
ReplyDeleteOh My God, what would we do without our priests? We would not have Jesus in the flesh on the earth! I don't know how many people even realize what we have in the Eucharist. It seems that if they truly did, they would be flocking to be with him and would not want to leave him!
Thank you Fr. Alfonse for the enormous sacrifices you make to bring Jesus to us.
You are appreciated, loved and prayed for by so many souls that you have touched, lead to Truth and even placed into the safety of the arms of Jesus!