Readings: Wisdom18: 6-9; Psalm 33; Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19; Luke 12:32-48.
Grace and peace to you my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord.
Today is the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C. Our Gospel this morning can be divided into three parts:
The first part is a continuation of the Gospel of last week, which focuses on building our treasures in heaven, where, after all, we shall spend our eternity.
The second part is a warning for us to be spiritually vigilant, like a steward who waits for his master’s return.
The third part is the parable of the wise and faithful steward.
Three years ago, I focused on these two questions:
A. What have we been given?
B. What does the Master expect from us?
This year, let us focus on the powerful question that Jesus asked: “Who then is the faithful and wise manager…?”
This is not just a rhetorical question. It is deeply personal. It is not a question about others; it is a question for you and me.
Jesus is asking: Are you a wise and faithful steward?
So, who is the wise and faithful servant ?
I. A faithful and wise servant is someone the master can trust:
Jesus describes a servant who is put in charge of the household. This is someone entrusted with responsibility while the master is away.
Let’s bring this closer to home:
God has entrusted parents with children.
He has entrusted priests and deacons with parishes and the sheep of His flock.
He has entrusted teachers with students.
He has entrusted leaders with people.
He has entrusted you and me with time, talents, truth, worldly means, vocations.
He has entrusted some of us with friends so that we may influence them positively. Some of us have been entrusted with people to care for, support and to improve the quality of their lives and dreams.
He has entrusted some of us with crosses and challenges so that our lives can become an inspiration and an example of faith and a testimony of God’s faithfulness.
This is the story of Abraham as referenced in the Second Reading. God entrusted him with the cross of childlessness to make him an example of God’s power, faithfulness and goodness.
A faithful servant doesn’t forget who the real Master is. An unwise and unfaithful servant starts to think that it’s their house, their time, their body, their resources. They abuse power, live selfishly, and forget that everything belongs to God.
A wise servant understands that one day, the Master will return and there will be an account and so they do everything with devotion, loyalty and a sense of accountability.
2. A good servant Is faithful in doing what the master asks, even when no one is watching:
Jesus praises the servant who is found “at his post,” doing what he was asked to do. A faithful servant is one who serves even when they’re not being praised, celebrated or recognised, who shows up, even when it’s inconvenient. They lead with integrity, even when no one sees.
Many people today want visibility without responsibility. But the faithful servant serves in silence, in secret, in season and out of season because he loves the Master. They do what is right, what it is that the master wants, even when no one is watching.
3. A wise and faithful servant lives with the end in mind
The wise servant doesn’t just live for today; they prepare for the Master’s return. They don’t say, “There’s time; the Master is delayed.” No, they know that every day is a gift and every decision is a seed planted for eternity.
The unfaithful servant gets careless, makes wrong choices and does what they like, thinking only of today.
IV. A wise and faithful servant is loyal to the master. Their allegiance to the master is unwavering, their love is unshakeable and dedication is absolute. They refuse to be tempted, threatened or lured into letting down the master.
God is not asking for perfection,
He’s asking for faithfulness, wisdom, loyalty, and readiness.
Questions for Self-Examination
1. What has God entrusted to me in this season of life?
2. Am I managing it with faithfulness and wisdom?
3. If the Master came today, would He find me at my post or have I become careless, lost, and distracted?
4. Am I completely loyal to the Lord or is my loyalty partial and wobbly?
So, who then is the faithful and wise servant?
Let it be you, let it be me.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You have entrusted so much to us – our lives, our vocations, our families, our faith, our gifts, time, resources, our crosses. Help us to be faithful in small things, wise in big decisions, and ready for Your return. May we live each day as servants who are loyal and faithful, servants who love You, trust You, honour You and live each day in obedience to you, Amen.
Sermon preached by Fr Emmanuel Baraka-Gukena Okami on August 10, 2025.