Wednesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
(Ephesians 3:2-12; Luke 12:39-48)
Peter pointedly asks Jesus in today’s gospel if the parable about
his return applies to everyone or just to the disciples. Although he does not deny universal
application, Jesus’ response is directed to his immediate followers. They are to serve the Church as his
caretakers preaching to, blessing, and praying for the people.
In the reading from Ephesians St. Paul recognizes his
responsibility for preaching and teaching about Christ. As a recipient of God’s grace, Paul realizes
that he must share that grace with others, especially non-Jews. It is a knotty task. He must explain to the inheritors of the
great and extensive Greek culture how God chose the rather exclusive Israel community
to exemplify His glory.
Knowing Jesus through divine revelation, Paul did not shrink
from the task. Neither should we. After all, Christ is calling us through the
Church to participate in the New Evangelization. We are to call family, friends, and the world
who are distant from God to draw close to His love, truth, and beauty.
