Deacon Dominic Thien

FAITHFUL STEWARD

During the 3rd century in Rome, the Church endured harsh persecutions. Among the seven churches of Rome served a devoted deacon named Lawrence. As an archdeacon, he managed the Church’s goods, cared for the poor, and distributed alms. He was known for his faithfulness in the ministry service.

In 258 AD, Emperor Valerian ordered the execution of bishops, priests, and deacons. Before Lawrence’s martyrdom, greedy Roman officials demanded he surrender the “treasures of the Church.” He asked them to return the next day so he can get ready. The following day, he gathered all the poor, the widows, and the sick to church. When the authority with soldiers arrived, Lawrence presented them, saying: “These are the treasures of the Church.” He explained that Christ lives in these poor and vulnerable and that the Church’s true wealth is found in them. In anger, his persecutors brutally executed him by roasting him on a red-hot gridiron. According to St. Ambrose, Lawrence’s courage and love for Christ is so great that even while on the iron grid, he told his executions, “The flesh is roasted, turn it and eat”. Mother Church honors his martyrdom every year on August 10.

The story of St. Lawrence’s beautifully reflects today’s Gospel theme of a good and faithful servant. A faithful servant is one who receives God’s gifts and uses them generously for the sake of others.

In the first parable of today’s gospel, Jesus says: “Gird your loins and light your lamps… to await your master’s return” (Lk 12:35-48) To “gird your loins” means to be ready for action, like a traveler free from the weight of worldly attachments. This image calls us to be spiritually alert, to detach from greed, and prepared for the moment when the Master returns. Jesus has promised: “I go and prepare a place for you… I will come back again and take you to myself” (Jn 14:3). The faithful servant lives in hope for that coming.

Last week, we heard about the Rich Fool, whose heart was enslaved by greed. He believed his wealth existed only for his own pleasure. In the second parable today, Jesus warns of another kind of unfaithful steward—one who thinks his master’s return will be delayed and so, he uses the time for self-indulgence: “to beat the servants, to eat and drink and get drunk.”

By nature, eating and drinking are not evil in themselves, but when they become tools of excess and selfishness, they turn into vices. St. Paul reminds us that “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of food and drink, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the holy Spirit;” (Rom 14:17). The question is: what kind of treasures fill your heart? Hopefully, it’s not the perishable material things.

In the Catechism, Mother Church teaches that all goods ultimately belong to God, who has entrusted to us for the service of others (CCC 2404–2405). The example of St. Lawrence reminds us that charity is not just an optional virtue—it is a participation in Christ’s mission. In every Mass, we are nourished by the Eucharist, the greatest treasure of the Church, which strengthens us so that at the dismissal of the Mass, we leave the sanctuary to pour ourselves out for others.

St. John Chrysostom once preached: “Do you give to the poor? What you give is not yours, but your Master’s, common to you and your fellow-servants.” In other words, what we earned and owned must be viewed as God’s gifts, to be distributed according to justice and mercy. In giving, we do not lose; we store up treasure in heaven.

Friends, Jesus invites us today to examine our priorities. Are we accumulating wealth only for comfort, or are we investing in eternal life? Material goods are tools, not ends. They are meant for survival, and almsgiving as part of the works of mercy. Moreover, they are for building up the Body of Christ.

Faith is not passive. As St. James tells us, “Faith without works is dead” (Jas 2:26). We live in faith and hope by acting in love, trusting in God’s mercy. In heaven, only love remains, but here on earth, that love is expressed through concrete acts of generosity. Our works of charity—whether giving to the poor, offering time to the lonely, or forgiving those who hurt us—are the “loins girded” and “lamps lit” of today’s Gospel. They are signs that we are awake and ready for the Lord’s return.

Yes, we must work and build materials savings to sustain our families and meet our needs. But we must never forget that everything we have is a gift from God. We are managers, not owners. As Jesus warns us in today’s gospel, “Much will be required of the person entrusted with much”. And so, my friends, a faithful steward is a person who uses God’s gifts to bring light into others’ darkness, just as St. Lawrence our protodeacon martyr has done.

May we, too, spiritually gird our loins with moral alertness, watchfulness, and readiness for action—the action of faithful stewards whose love and charity reflect Christ Himself. If we live this way, then when the Master comes, He will find us prepared and will say: “Well done, good and faithful servant… come, share your master’s joy” (Mt 25:23). Amen.