Faith and Reason: A Call to Stewardship

 

Summary

Today’s reflection centers on the profound relationship between faith and reason, and the call to be faithful and prudent stewards of all that God has entrusted to us. The words of Jesus in the Gospel remind us not to be afraid, for the Father is pleased to give us the kingdom. We are invited to live with vigilance, to keep our lamps lit, and to be ready for the Lord’s return at any moment. This readiness is not passive waiting, but an active stewardship—caring for what has been given, sharing with others, and living in a way that reflects the hope and evidence of our faith.

Looking back at the journey of the Israelites, we see how God provided sign after sign—miracles, guidance, and sustenance—yet ultimately called them to trust and hand on their faith to the next generation. This handing on of faith is not just about recounting stories, but about forming hearts and minds to recognize God’s action in the world, even when it is not immediately visible. Faith is not opposed to knowledge or reason; rather, as St. John Paul II taught, faith and reason are intertwined. True faith seeks understanding, and true knowledge is open to the mystery and revelation of God.

We live in a culture that often pits faith against reason, as if one must choose between being rational or being a believer. Yet, the Christian tradition insists that God created us with intellect and desires us to use it in pursuit of truth. Jesus, the Logos, is the very embodiment of truth, and he reveals himself to us in ways that touch every part of our being—intellectually, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Our faith is not blind; it is rooted in the evidence of God’s action in history, in the lives of the saints, and in the sacraments that continue to touch and transform us.

The call to stewardship is a call to recognize that everything we have—our gifts, our time, our very lives—is a gift from God. We are responsible for how we use these gifts, and the more we have received, the more is expected of us. God’s judgment is perfect because he knows our hearts, our abilities, and our potential. Our task is to seek knowledge, deepen our faith, and respond generously to God’s call, knowing that authentic stewardship is the path to true fulfillment and eternal life.

Key Takeaways

- Faith and reason are not enemies but partners. God calls us to use our intellect to seek truth, and our faith to embrace the mysteries that reason alone cannot grasp. When faith and reason work together, we come to a deeper understanding of God and the world, and our lives become more fully integrated and authentic. [28:05]

- The evidence of God’s action is all around us, even if we have not witnessed the miracles of the past firsthand. The stories handed down, the witness of the saints, and the sacraments are all tangible signs that strengthen our faith and invite us to trust in what we cannot see. Faith is not a leap into the dark, but a response to the light that has already been given. [32:06]

- Stewardship is at the heart of Christian living. Everything we have is a gift, and we are called to be faithful and prudent stewards—using our gifts for the good of others, for the glory of God, and for the building up of his kingdom. Our response to God’s generosity is measured not just by what we do, but by how we do it—with vigilance, gratitude, and love. [35:05]

- God’s judgment takes into account not only what we have done, but what we have been given and what we are capable of. He knows our hearts, our circumstances, and our potential. The more we know and receive, the greater our responsibility to respond faithfully; ignorance lessens culpability, but knowledge increases our call to stewardship. [37:12]

- The sacraments are living evidence of God’s presence and action in our lives. Through the Eucharist, confession, and the other sacraments, God continues to touch, heal, and nourish us. These encounters with grace are not just rituals, but real means by which God communicates his love and strengthens us to be authentic, faithful stewards. [37:12]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Kyrie and Gloria: Prayers for Mercy
[02:10] - Opening Prayer and Collect
[03:15] - Gospel Reading from Luke
[07:00] - Parable of the Faithful Steward
[10:45] - Reflections on the Lectionary and Readings
[13:30] - The Journey of the Israelites and the Role of Faith
[16:50] - Handing on Faith to the Next Generation
[19:20] - Faith and Reason: Not Opposed but Intertwined
[23:40] - Evidence and the Story of Thomas
[26:30] - The Human Desire for Truth and Knowledge
[28:05] - Jesus as the Logos: Truth Revealed
[32:06] - God’s Revelation to the Whole Person
[35:05] - The Call to Faithful and Prudent Stewardship
[37:12] - Judgment, Responsibility, and the Sacraments
[39:00] - Closing Prayer and Sending Forth

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Faith, Reason, and Stewardship

---

### Bible Reading

Luke 12:32-48 (ESV)
> “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
>
> “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
>
> Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?” And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful. And that servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.”

Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)
> Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

---

### Observation Questions

1. In the parable Jesus tells in Luke 12, what are the servants expected to be doing while the master is away? What does Jesus say will happen to the servant who is found faithful? ([24:36])
2. According to Hebrews 11:1, how is faith defined? What two things does faith involve? ([28:05])
3. In the sermon, what examples from the Israelites’ journey in the desert are given as evidence of God’s action? ([13:30])
4. What does Jesus say about the servant who knows his master’s will but does not act on it, compared to the one who is ignorant? ([24:36])

---

### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus emphasizes being “ready” and “vigilant” in the parable? What does this readiness look like in daily life? ([24:36])
2. The sermon says faith and reason are not enemies but partners. How does the story of Thomas (John 20:24-29, alluded to in the sermon) help us understand the relationship between evidence and faith? ([28:05])
3. The pastor mentions that God’s judgment takes into account not just what we do, but what we have been given and what we are capable of. How does this affect the way we think about our own responsibilities? ([37:12])
4. The Israelites were called to hand on their faith to the next generation, not just by telling stories but by forming hearts and minds. What might this look like in our context today? ([13:30])

---

### Application Questions

1. Jesus says, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” What are some things you treasure most right now? How do these things shape your priorities and actions? ([23:40])
2. The sermon challenges us to be “faithful and prudent stewards” of all God has given us. What is one area of your life (time, talent, resources, relationships) where you feel called to be a better steward? What is a practical step you could take this week? ([35:05])
3. The pastor points out that faith is not blind, but rooted in evidence—stories, the lives of saints, and the sacraments. When was a time you experienced God’s presence or action in a way that strengthened your faith? ([32:06])
4. The sermon says that the more we know and receive, the greater our responsibility to respond faithfully. Is there something you have learned or received recently that you sense God wants you to act on? What might faithful action look like? ([37:12])
5. The Israelites were called to hand on faith to the next generation. Who in your life is looking to you for spiritual guidance or example? How can you intentionally help form their faith, not just by words but by your actions? ([13:30])
6. The sacraments are described as “living evidence” of God’s presence. How do you approach the sacraments (like the Eucharist or confession)? Is there a way you could be more open to God’s grace through them? ([37:12])
7. The sermon mentions that our culture often pits faith against reason. Have you ever felt tension between your faith and what the world says is “reasonable”? How do you navigate that tension in your own life? ([28:05])

---

Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for the grace to be faithful and prudent stewards, to grow in both faith and understanding, and to respond generously to God’s call in their lives.

Devotional

Day 1: Faith and Readiness: Living as Prudent Stewards

Jesus calls His followers to be vigilant and ready, like servants awaiting their master's return, faithfully stewarding all that has been entrusted to them. This readiness is not passive but active, requiring us to live each day with purpose, generosity, and a heart set on the true treasure of heaven. The call is to recognize that everything we have—our time, talents, resources, and relationships—is a gift from God, and we are to manage these gifts with faithfulness and prudence, always prepared for the Lord’s return. [23:40]

Luke 12:32-44 (ESV)
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?” And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you sense God calling you to greater faithfulness as a steward? How can you take a concrete step today to be more ready and attentive to His call?


Day 2: Faith and Reason: Partners in Knowing God

Faith and reason are not opposed but are meant to work together, each enriching the other as we seek to know God more deeply. God invites us to use our intellect, to seek truth, and to grow in knowledge, while also trusting in what He reveals beyond our immediate understanding. The journey of faith is not blind; it is rooted in evidence, history, and the lived experience of God’s people, yet it also calls us to step beyond what we can see, trusting in the One who is Truth itself. [28:05]

Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally seek to grow both your knowledge and your faith this week—perhaps through study, prayer, or conversation with others?


Day 3: Passing on Faith: The Call to Remember and Teach

God’s people are called to remember His works and to pass on the story of faith to the next generation, ensuring that the truth and evidence of God’s faithfulness are not forgotten. Just as Moses retold the story of Israel’s journey to prepare the people for the Promised Land, we are invited to share our experiences of God’s presence and action, helping others to see and believe even in what they have not witnessed themselves. This act of remembering and teaching is essential for nurturing faith in our families, communities, and the world. [28:05]

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV)
“And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear a story of God’s faithfulness from you today? How can you share your testimony or a lesson of faith with them?


Day 4: God’s Personal Revelation: Meeting Us in Every Part of Our Being

God, who created us in His image, is able to reveal Himself to us in every aspect of our being—intellectually, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. He speaks through Scripture, through the sacraments, and through the quiet movements of our hearts, inviting us to recognize His presence and respond in faith. Whether through a clear word, a deep conviction, or a gentle nudge, God desires to communicate with us personally and uniquely, drawing us closer to Himself. [32:06]

Psalm 139:1-4 (ESV)
“O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.”

Reflection: How has God been speaking to you recently—through your mind, your emotions, or your circumstances? Take a moment to listen and respond to His presence today.


Day 5: Accountability and Judgment: Responding to What We Have Received

God’s judgment is perfectly just, taking into account not only what we have done but also what we have been given and how we have responded as stewards of His gifts. The more we know and receive, the more is expected of us—not as a burden, but as an invitation to deeper faithfulness and growth. We are called to seek knowledge, to grow in faith, and to respond generously, knowing that God sees our potential and desires us to live authentically as His faithful stewards. [37:12]

Luke 12:47-48 (ESV)
“And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.”

Reflection: What is one gift, opportunity, or truth God has entrusted to you that you have not fully responded to? What step can you take today to be a more faithful steward of that gift?

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Aug 10, 2025. Do you have any questions about it?

What is the relationship between faith and reason?
How does stewardship relate to eternal life?
What evidence supports belief in Jesus' resurrection?