Every Catholic Man - Sunday Gospel Bible Study
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Every Catholic Man - Sunday Gospel Bible Study
Episode 268 - Jesus warns men to vigilantly be on guard and strive for holiness or face frightening consequences - Sunday August 10, 2025 - Lk 12:32-48
Jesus warns men to vigilantly be on guard and strive for holiness or face frightening consequences. Every Catholic man can grow in holiness by building the Virtue of Defense so he can vigilantly protect himself and his family from evil media and by pursuing the Virtue of Duty so he can be a true spiritual father to his family and others.
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Jesus warns men to vigilantly be on guard and strive for holiness or face frightening consequences. Every Catholic man can grow in holiness by building the Virtue of Defense so he can vigilantly protect himself and his family from evil media and by pursuing the Virtue of Duty so he can be a true spiritual father to his family and others.
Liturgy
19th Week in Ordinary time – Sunday – Cycle C – Lk 12:32-48
Commentary
Jesus urges His men to be vigilant watchmen and warns His priests and other leaders that He will hold them to strict account for faithfully overseeing His Holy Catholic Church.
Jesus example of The Watchful Slave is striking for its blunt militaristic tone. Addressed to men, Jesus draws upon men’s natural protective instincts and their established duties to be defensive watchmen of cities. Jesus calls men to “gird their loins”, a command given to fighting men as they prepare for an attack; this is an allusion to the reality of being constantly on guard in the Spiritual Combat. Also striking is Jesus’ referral to His men as “slaves”, a clear call that His men must be humble and obedient as a slave. He warns men to be on guard throughout the night, a time when thieves attack and Satan prowls in the darkness. Jesus promises an incentive to those who persevere; these good men will feast with the King in the eternal banquet.
Peter, growing in his leadership, perceives Jesus’ example has direct implications for His Apostles, and asks for clarification. Jesus responds with the example of The Faithful and Unfaithful Slaves, directed to the Apostles, future priests and deacons in His Holy Catholic Church, and to all Catholic men who are called to lead their families in the faith and make disciples. Jesus’ meaning is crystal clear: as the Master and Lord, Jesus demands that His priests, other leaders and all Catholic men, follow His instructions and that He will give severe punishments (dichotomeó, literally, “cut in two”) to those who fail to do His will.
Be awed by Jesus Christ
Consider, with holy fear, what Jesus, the perfection of Justice, reveals about how He will hold men accountable: Jesus, the Son of God and Lord, purposefully crafts an example that refers to His disciples as “slaves” (Greek: doulous, typically mis-translated as “servant”), confirming the absolute Obedience (a part of Justice) to which Jesus calls His disciples; the perfection of Temperance, Jesus denounces gluttony (over eating, drunkenness); Jesus confirms He will use Vindication (a part of Justice by which men are rewarded or punished based on their thoughts and deeds) as Divine Judge, justly giving out rewards and punishments.
Protect yourself and family from evil media
Realize: Jesus exhorts men to “gird your loins”, a warning that every Catholic man must be vigilant against Satan’s constant temptations; today, Satan is attacking men and their families primarily through his perversion of media (music, videos, entertainment, news, books, blogs).
Believe: Review the section of the Lord’s Prayer, Lead us not into Temptation (CCC 2846-2849).
Pray: Almighty Father, help me build the Virtue of Defense/Protection (a part of Justice) so I recognize Satan’s constant temptations through perverted media and have the wisdom and will to take all necessary action to protect myself and my family from Satan’s attacks.
Live up to your duty to be a spiritual father
Realize: Jesus’ direct response to Peter in the example of The Faithful and Unfaithful Slave reveals that He will hold bishops and priests to strict account and severely punish some for their failure to protect and build His Church; similarly, He will hold every Catholic man strictly accountable for his diligent efforts to lead his family to Him.
Believe: Reflect upon the Sins of Omission (CCC 1853, 2277, 2284, 2326).
Pray: Jesus, Divine King, help me build the Virtue of Duty/Responsibility (a part of Justice) so I make it my highest priority to be a spiritual father who draws my family and many others to You and Your Holy Catholic Church.