STAND READY TO SERVE FAITHFULLY

XIX SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Luke 12:32-48

Zambia is facing crucial times, and this week, during election day, the Zambian people are at cross roads, having to make a choice and decide which direction to take. As Christians, we should never loose sight of our guiding values, and this Sunday readings can inspire us, showing us the basic attitudes that make the difference. 

Although Jesus is speaking about the servants of the Kingdom of God, we must remember that he taught us to pray for the Kingdom to come, so that our world is transformed and we become a new creation in Jesus.

• Reassuring us, Jesus said: “There is no need to be afraid, little flock, for it has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom.” When fear invades our hearts, we may try to hide or sit still. We would like to disappear, as if we were not there. We cannot stand up and do what needs to be done. And we dream about the past and the good old days. Or we may trust any false hope, with the conviction that it will deliver us. Jesus advises us not to be afraid. We may look forward with confidence, because God has chosen us to be his people.
• Jesus advises us to make the right choice: “Get yourselves purses that do not wear out, treasure that will not fail you, in heaven where no thief can reach it and no moth destroy it.” The wealth of this world cannot satisfy our hearts. The Nation needs that we produce wealth to bring development and to care for the wellbeing of the people. But if we enter the way of exploitation, in which a few get rich by trampling on the rights of the majority, then we will have  a divided and oppressed society, in which the seeds of revolt will germinate and bring violence and suffering. We do not need leaders that only care about themselves, and who have no other principle than their own selfishness. We must put our treasures in heaven, and we do so when our hearts are full of compassion for the weak, the poor and the suffering.
• “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” We must question ourselves about our values, the values that guide our lives and give meaning to them. It is very dangerous to choose people who have no values; those who are spineless and  who change and calculate their moves according the conveniences of the moment.
• Then Jesus advises us to be “dressed for action”, to be on the alert and to “stand ready”. At any time, we may be called to account. Many times, our leaders behave as if they have all time of the world and as if nobody has the right to ever question them. However, the time of reckoning will come. As in the statue that Nebuchadnezzar saw in a dream, all leaders have clay feet (Dan 2:33), which at any time may bring their destruction. 
• “He will put on an apron, sit them down at table and wait on them”. This is indeed an extraordinary promise. The servants who are found to be faithful will be given a great reward: the master himself will serve them at hi own table. This is Jesus’ promise to all his faithful servants. It is a promise of recognition for the hard work of his servants. There is no need of “sontapo”. People have eyes to see.
• “The faithful and wise steward” will be put in charge of everything, because he was found trustworthy. Who is really faithful and wise, so that he can be entrusted with the stewardship of the country?
• There is always the danger of abuse. There are some who misuse the power entrusted to them and become oppressors. Such a situation will not last forever. When the master finds out such behaviour in a steward, he “will cut him off”.
• Jesus gives us a final warning: the more we are entrusted with, the more will be expected of us.

Let us pray for Zambia, for peaceful elections and may everybody listen to the voice of the people and accept their choice.