Voice: Jennifer
Today is Friday, 12th of June. The night has passed, and the day lies open before us; let us pray with one heart and mind.
Silence is kept.
As we rejoice in the gift of this new day,
may the light of your presence, O God,
set our hearts on fire with love for you;
now and for ever.
Amen.
Psalm 31
1 In you, O Lord , do I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
in your righteousness deliver me!
2Incline your ear to me;
rescue me speedily!
Be a rock of refuge for me,
a strong fortress to save me!
3For you are my rock and my fortress;
and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me;
4you take me out of the net they have hidden for me,
for you are my refuge.
5 Into your hand I commit my spirit;
you have redeemed me, O Lord , faithful God.
6I hate those who pay regard to worthless idols,
but I trust in the Lord .
7I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love,
because you have seen my affliction;
you have known the distress of my soul,
8and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy;
you have set my feet in a broad place.
9Be gracious to me, O Lord , for I am in distress;
my eye is wasted from grief;
my soul and my body also.
10For my life is spent with sorrow,
and my years with sighing;
my strength fails because of my iniquity,
and my bones waste away.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as It was in the beginning, is
now, and shall be forever. Amen.
Luke 12: 41-48
41Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?”
42And 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?
43Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.
44Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.
45But 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,
46the 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.
47And that servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating.
48But 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.
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Be a Faithful Steward
Jesus has just told His disciples a parable about servants who must be ready for their master’s return. Peter then asks, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?”
Jesus does not answer directly. Instead, He tells another parable—that of the faithful and wise manager.
The manager’s task is to ensure that the household is fed and cared for. Spiritually, this points to the shepherding responsibility that Jesus would entrust to His disciples. The parable makes it clear that those given responsibility over God’s household are held to a higher standard of accountability.
Perhaps this teaching remained deeply impressed upon Peter’s heart, for years later he would write:
“Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” (1 Peter 5:2–4)
The danger for every shepherd is that the Master’s delay or apparent silence can loosen the cords of accountability. The shepherd may become preoccupied with personal gain. He may become intoxicated with the spirit of the world and neglect the care of the household. In his heart he begins to wonder, “Where is God?”
This is a sobering warning, especially for pastors and lay leaders entrusted with pastoral responsibilities. Yet such parables are also gifts of grace. Through them, Christ calls us back to faithfulness and reminds us of the sacred trust that has been placed in our hands.
Don’t be distracted. Don’t walk away. Don’t become drunk with the world. Care for the flock. Feed them with your love, your prayers, and the Word of God.
After His resurrection, Jesus gave Peter a simple but profound charge: “Feed my sheep” (John 21). That remains the calling of every shepherd today—to keep His household strong, nourished, and alive until He comes.
And when we finally see Him face to face, may we hear those precious words:
“Well done, good and faithful servant.”
We pray:
“Lord, make me a faithful steward of what You have entrusted to me. Keep me watchful, faithful, and diligent until the day You return. Amen.”
‘The Truth Shall Set Us Free’ is a song by John L. Bell of the Iona Community of Scotland. The text speaks well to our current times and the need to care for those facing oppression and injustice:
When the wheel of fate is turning and the mills of God grind slow;
when the past seems more attractive than the future we don’t know;
when our confidence is waning and we lack security,
comes the timeless word of Jesus that the truth will set us free.
Is it war or economics, is it danger or deceit, is it unforeseen depression, fear of failure to compete? Have the times which once were changing led where no one wants to be? Shall we live by lies on offer or the truth that sets us free?
With real faith there will be doubting, and with loss there will be grief. No one knows the contradictions which will exercise belief. Against conflicts life might bring us God provides no guarantee, just this word of hope and healing: know that truth will set you free.
So, dear Jesus, make us willing to unmask convenient lies to protest wherever power closes conscience, ears and eyes; And release our expectations of your kingdom, yet to be, born in courage, joy and justice and the truth that sets us free
Words by John L. Bell, copyright 2014, WGRG, Iona Community, Scotland.
Link to today’s Morning Office
About This Daily Devotion
This weekday devotion is drawn from the Morning Office and is part of a project initiated by Revd Canon Terry Wong, with contributions from clergy and members across various parishes. Each entry includes selected readings from the appointed Psalm and another Scripture passage, accompanied by a reflection and prayer. An audio option is also available, often ending with a hymn or song. We encourage you to both read and listen. Unless otherwise stated, the reflections are written by Revd Wong.
Our aim is to help Anglicans engage more deeply with our rich liturgical tradition, while meeting the devotional needs of today’s believers. This project began on Ash Wednesday 2025 and is offered on weekdays only.
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