Thursday of the First Week in Advent
December 4, 2025
Today's Reading: Catechism - Table of duties: To Employers and Supervisors
Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 10:12-27a, 33-34; 2 Peter 1:1-21
“Masters, do the same to [your bondservants], and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.” (Ephesians 6:9)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Well, this is an awkward bit of the Catechism to discuss in reflections geared toward youth, isn’t it? The “bondservants” described in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians can also be understood as slaves or indentured servants. That’s not how things work around you, though. These words are appropriate not only for people who supervise indentured servants, but also for bosses, teachers, supervisors, and anyone who holds a position of authority.
That’s not too many high-school students, but that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. Are you a captain on your sports team? Do you babysit? Are you sometimes left in charge of your younger siblings? If you’re an older student in your school, how do you treat younger students? Do you take advantage of others? Are you bossy when you babysit or pushy to your teammates? When you serve in those places of honor and respect, do you treat those around you lovingly?
This encouragement has a deeper significance than “be nice to others.” While “it’s nice to be nice,” God created all people. Those with authority and those under authority have the same heavenly Master, and God doesn’t play favorites. A threatening, belligerent boss doesn’t honor God when he or she mistreats their employees. A rude or quarrelsome teacher doesn’t honor God by their actions. A condescending babysitter or trainer at a part-time job doesn’t honor people created by God. God has every right to judge you for how you treat others, including those whom you supervise in any capacity.
The way that you treat others is imperfect. Have you threatened, patronized, or been rude to others? Well, since you have a pulse - probably. What hope is there for you? Jesus shed His blood on the cross to cover even those sins, and the fruit of the Spirit fills you with strength to love others in a more excellent way. Your sin is forgiven, and when you have influence and authority over others, use it in service to them, as you are one of God’s gifts to the people He created.
God loves everyone He has made. God calls you to love and respect the people He made, not only because it’s the right thing to do, but because He has given supervisors and bosses and babysitters and team captains to the people He has created.
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
The humble heart and lowly God raises up on high; Beneath His feet in terror The haughty soul shall lie. The heart sincere and right, That heeds God’s invitation And makes true preparation— It is the Lord’s delight. (LSB 354:3)
