20260904 Friday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

(1 Cor 4:1–5; Lk 5:33–39): Faithful Stewards Holding New Wine “Thus should one regard us: as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Now it is of course required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.” My dear brothers and sisters, reflecting upon these words from First Corinthians, chapter 4, verses 1 and 2, what in our lives can we truly call our own? Even our souls and our bodies are gifts entrusted to us by the Lord, to be used for His good purpose. Therefore, we must gently remind ourselves that we are not the owners of all these gifts, but their stewards. From the moment we come from God until the day we return to Him, it is our solemn duty as stewards to polish and refine the soul we have received, that it may become a blessing to others. Likewise, caring for our physical health enables us to share the joy of proclaiming the Gospel. This ministry arises from a heart that loves the Lord and gives thanks for the gift of life—a quiet journey that fills us in secret and moves silently toward fulfillment. “Therefore, do not make any judgment before the appointed time, until the Lord comes, for he will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will manifest the motives of hearts.” As verse 5 reminds us, true and devoted love for the Lord does not dwell passively in the past, nor does it yield to the sloth that hinders our spiritual growth. Instead, we are called to continually observe the world, look upon our neighbors with compassion, and strive for perpetual renewal and maturity. The beginning of this work lies in opening our hearts to listen—understanding the suffering of our present age through the world around us, offering our prayers, and attending to the cries of those who suffer right beside us. In the word “Faithfulness” (誠實), the element of “Sincerity” (誠) signifies devoting one's whole heart so that the “Word” (言) may be “Fulfilled” (成); while “Fruitfulness” (實) carries the promise of bearing enduring fruit that will never fade. This is the fruit born of an unwavering heart, kept constantly vigilant to meet the deepest spiritual longings of our time. My dear brothers and sisters, let us heed the sacred word of Luke, chapter 5, verse 38: “Likewise, new wine must be poured into fresh wineskins.” Let us pray today for the grace to remain vigilant and alive in faith—that we may grow without ceasing as His humble servants, called to embody and proclaim the living Gospel. Amen.