Wednesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time

 Lectionary: 475

Much will be required of the person entrusted with much,
and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”

When Peter asked, "...is this parable meant for us or for everyone?” the Lord responded with, "Much will be required of those entrusted with much...." 

The teaching corresponds to, "To those who have much, more will be given." And the popular saying, "The rich get richer while the poor get poorer." 

Grace, like money, air, and water, is not distributed evenly. Nor should it be. Equality may be a worthy ideal but it's only an ideal. No one is born "equal;" and the word itself lacks definition. Even the bold declaration, "We're all equal in God's sight" is more optimistic than true. In his letter to the Galatians (3:28), Saint Paul wrote.

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." 

But his teaching is not about everyone in the world. It's about those who are "in Christ Jesus." The world's decisiveness follows everyone who enters the Church. 

When we recognize the uneven distribution of blessings and opportunity, we can begin to show the respect which is owed to every human being. Our response to inequity begins with hearing the Lord's warning in today's gospel, 

Much will be required of the person entrusted with much,

and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”

Recently our Bible study group at Mount Saint Francis dove into the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel. Twice he states the obvious -- that the sentinel who sees the enemy approaching the city must warn the city. If he fails to do so, he should be severely punished! Likewise the Christian who is blessed with the knowledge of God must announce His Divine presence to everyone. Failure to do so will cost everyone; and especially the Christian sentinel. 

Certainly, the Kingdom of God will come! But woe to those who failed to announce its coming.