The Role of a Steward

Gospel: Luke 12: 39-48

The role of a disciple is compared to that of a steward in the parable Jesus gives in today's Gospel portion.  Here, the steward's task is to ensure that all are fed, that all receive a just amount of food to meet their needs.  The disciples, then is to ensure that all are fed in all aspects of the human person: body, mind, and spirit - so that the whole person can grow and flourish.  

It is a sad fact of religion that very often this task is not being met, that the other half of this parable is taking place - the abuse of others, the mistreatment, deception, and double standards that drive people away from religion altogether.  Then, the smallness of the Church is blamed by hierarchs as the work of the devil or as God's will for a smaller, purer church, as if that's what's actually being created.  

In the Rule of St. Benedict, it begins and ends with listening, and throughout every task of the monk is to listen.  Authentic listening leads to transformation and conversion; it leads to people's needs being met.  We have experienced plenty of dishonest listening as well as no listening at all.  Our task today is to cultivate authentic listening that meets the needs of the people so that their needs are met and we fulfill our task as stewards providing for the daily needs of all.