A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.

Jesus said to the disciples: “Do not live in fear, little flock.  God is pleased to have given you this Realm.  Sell what you have and give alms. Get purses for yourselves that do not wear out, a never-failing treasure with God which no thief comes near nor any moth destroys.  Wherever your treasure lies, there your heart will be.

”Let your belts be fastened around your waists and your lamps be burning ready.  Be like servants awaiting their master’s return from a wedding, so that when your master arrives and knocks, you will open the door without delay.  It will go well with those servants whom the master finds wide- awake upon returning.  I tell you, the master will put on an apron, seat them at table, and proceed to wait on them.  Should the master come at midnight or before sunrise and find them prepared, it will go well with them.  You know as well as I that a homeowner who knew when the thief was coming would not let the thief break in.  Be on guard, therefore.  The One who is expected will come when least expected.”

Peter said, “Do you intend this parable for us, Teacher, or do you mean it for the whole world?”  Jesus said, “Who in your opinion is that faithful, farsighted steward whom the master will set over the servants to dispense their ration of grain in season?  That servant is fortunate whom the master, upon returning, finds busy.  Assuredly, the master will put him in charge of the entire estate.  But if the servant thinks, ‘My master is slow in returning,’ and begins to abuse the other servants, to eat and drink and get drunk, that servant’s master will return unexpectedly, will punish the servant severely, and rank that one among those undeserving of trust.  The servants who knew the master’s wishes but did not prepare to fulfill them will get a severe beating, whereas the one who did not know them and nonetheless deserved to be flogged will get off with fewer stripes.  Much will be required of one who has been given much. More will be asked of one to whom more has been entrusted.”

The Good News as spoken through Luke.