It is 24th October 2018. We celebrate the memorial of St. Anthony Mary Claret, a Bishop. The Spiritual Father of Cuba. He was very much interested in spreading the Catholic teaching using the publishing house. He is the patron of weavers. The readings are from Ephesians 3:2-12; and the Gospel from Luke 12:39-48. We are all entrusted with the plan of God and are expected to execute the plan confidently with the grace we have received from God. How do we manage the gifts and to be accountable to all that is given to us? Each one of us is the treasurer of God’s abundant gifts. Out of fear, shaming and naming we are not performing as we should be. Either we underperform or never perform in handling the gifts. Either we hold it and hide it or we try to compare with the gifts of the other. It is the plan of God that everyone handles and enjoys the gifts of God. We are not the owners of the gifts that are entrusted to us. What is expected of all us is the prudence and responsibility in using the gifts. The quality God expects us to be the steward and managers of all that is entrusted by God and the Church is wisdom and faithfulness. St. Paul explains that God dispenses the gifts through us to the others and from others to us. We all enjoy that special privilege of experiencing the mysteries of Christ through our faith in Jesus. “This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.” (Eph.3:12). The responsorial Psalm praises, “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” (Is.12:3). The Gospel reminds us all that the greater the work we hold in the Church, the community and in the society, greater the responsibility expected of us. The demand will be made by God to those who are entrusted with the higher level of office. Unless one trains and treats oneself to be the servant, we cannot dispense the best of our ability. To be a steward does not mean to be a boss over someone. Our faithfulness and wise choices are the ones God expects us in handling the gifts of God. It is not enough of having the knowledge of the gifts of God but to know the mind of God in guarding and distributing the gifts that are entrusted and to have a strenuous vigilance over the truth that entrusted to the person who holds the office. With love and trust, God has entrusted these things and God will demand an account of how we use it. “From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.” (Luke 12:48). When God comes to check our books of life and its gifts, will God find everything in order in our life? Since we do not know the exact hour of God’s visitation, may we make efforts to put things in order in our lives. May you have a good day. God bless you.