{"id":23115,"date":"2025-02-13T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-02-13T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mailchi.mp\/urc\/urc-daily-devotion-13-february-2025"},"modified":"2025-02-13T06:00:00","modified_gmt":"2025-02-13T06:00:00","slug":"urc-daily-devotion-13-february-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.trinitywimbledon.org\/index.php\/urc-daily-devotion-13-february-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"URC Daily Devotion 13 February 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

St Luke 12: 41 – 48<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Peter said, \u2018Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for everyone?\u2019 And the Lord said, \u2018Who then is the faithful and prudent manager whom his master will put in charge of his slaves, to give them their allowance of food at the proper time?  Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives.  Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions.  But if that slave says to himself, \u201cMy master is delayed in coming\u201d, and if he begins to beat the other slaves, men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk,  the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and put him with the unfaithful.  That slave who knew what his master wanted, but did not prepare himself or do what was wanted, will receive a severe beating.  But one who did not know and did what deserved a beating will receive a light beating. From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.<\/span><\/p>\n

Reflection<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The compilers of the Revised Common Lectionary, which many of our churches use, didn\u2019t include this passage in the cycle of readings.  Perhaps they felt it duplicated the \u2018stay alert\u2019 message in the previous section – or perhaps the idea that the master would cut the delinquent servant in pieces was just too gruesome.  But there are at least two ways that this passage develops the thinking in the previous one.  First, the idea that not only the slave who knew what the master wanted would be punished, but also one who didn\u2019t know would be beaten (albeit to a lesser extent).  And second, the escalating requirement in the last sentence that even more will be demanded from those entrusted with much.<\/span><\/p>\n

The idea that ignorance is no defence strikes a particular chord as I reflect on the failings of those with power to be sufficiently curious.  Leaders who ignore safeguarding concerns.  Managers who ignore whistleblowers, or don\u2019t collect or analyse data to understand what is really happening.  Sexual abuse, the infected blood scandal, Grenfell, systemic medical treatment failures and many more owe much to people who should have asked more questions and taken more action.<\/span><\/p>\n

And the challenge is amplified with the closing sentiment.  In such a context, who would want to step up to leadership?  Lest we get too comfortable blaming bishops\/CEOs\/politicians or others, we should remember that Luke emphasises that much is required of <\/span>everyone – and we all benefit from God\u2019s grace, no matter what gifts and talents we may have, and how we are each called to use them.  Are you sufficiently curious?  Are you living with the knowledge that something isn\u2019t quite right?  Are you doing all you can to make it right?  I suspect I\u2019m not the only one unable to answer all three questions \u2018yes\u2019.<\/p>\n

Prayer<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Lord,<\/span>
We remember that from a young age you were curious;<\/span>
You debated the law with the teachers in the Temple,<\/span>
You engaged with Samaritans and people outside respectable society.<\/span><\/p>\n

We confess that sometimes we don\u2019t ask the questions we should.<\/span>
We don\u2019t face up to situations that aren\u2019t right.<\/span>
We don\u2019t truly repent and act to make things better.<\/span><\/p>\n

Help us to regain the curiosity we had as children.<\/span>
Help us to be brave when it is hard to ask questions.<\/span>
Help us live up to the grace you have given us.<\/span><\/p>\n

Amen.<\/span> <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

St Luke 12: 41 – 48 Peter said, \u2018Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for everyone?\u2019 And the Lord said, \u2018Who then is the faithful and prudent manager whom his master will put in charge of his slaves, to give them their allowance of food at the proper time?  Blessed is that … <\/p>\n

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