今天我們讀到的是少數則直接針對個人的先知預言之一。

透過先知的話語，我們了解到王宮管家的職責：開關宮門象徵著共同的責任和（從屬的）權力。

我們也了解到，這樣的管家可能會被降職（事實上，就連厄里雅金也過了一段時間就被降職了），這取決於他們服務的品行。

透過先知的話語，我們了解到，我們身為上主殿宇──教會──的一員，並非擁有權力，而是要服事。

我們需要成為主殿中忠心的僕人。

We read today one of the few prophetic oracles directed at individuals.

Through the words of the prophet, we learn the functions of the steward of the house of the king: opening and closing the gates of the palace as signs of shared responsibility and of (subordinate) power.

We also learn that such stewards could be demoted (and indeed, even Eliakim was demoted after a while), depending on the quality of their service.

Through the words of the prophet, we learn that our being part of God’s house, the Church, is not a position of power but of service. We need to be faithful servants in the palace of our Lord.