Stewardship of God's grace

Ephesians 3:2-12; Ps You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation; Luke 12:39-48

Stewardship of God's grace.  Here is a reality we should meditate on.

This past Sunday the Church recognized formally seven saints, those who were true stewards of God's grace.

Here is a bit from Pope Benedict's homily,

"The Son of Man came to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (cf. Mk 10:45)
These words were the blueprint for living of the seven Blessed men and women that the Church solemnly enrols this morning in the glorious ranks of the saints. With heroic courage they spent their lives in total consecration to the Lord and in the generous service of their brethren. They are sons and daughters of the Church who chose a life of service following the Lord. Holiness always rises up in the Church from the well-spring of the mystery of redemption, as foretold by the prophet Isaiah in the first reading: the Servant of the Lord is the righteous one who "shall make many to be accounted as righteous; and he shall bear their iniquities" (Is 53:11); this Servant is Jesus Christ, crucified, risen and living in glory. Today’s canonization is an eloquent confirmation of this mysterious saving reality. The tenacious profession of faith of these seven generous disciples of Christ, their configuration to the Son of Man shines out brightly today in the whole Church."

This mirrors the sentiment of st. Paul in today's first reading,

"This was according to the eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ JEsus our Lord, in whom we have boldness of speech and confidence of access through faith in him."

We have boldness of speech and confidence of access through faith in him.

We have been equipped.  We are bold.  We are confident.  we have access in faith.  We are stewards of God's grace.

What else do we need?

The mystery if redemption has been laid before our feet.

We now walk in the footsteps of the redeemer.

PErhaps we need a little more motivation.

JEsus reminds us in the gospel, "You must be prepared, for an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come...The 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."

According to Christ, ever one gets a fair shake.  We should expect the unexpected.  We should be attentive to each moment.  We should not waste the gift we have been given.

We are stewards and we are called to be saints.
we cannot feign ignorance.  We cannot pretend we did not know.



Holiness is the name of the game and faithfulness is the rule that guides us.
This is the blueprint of life.

BE a steward of grace.