BE READY

Luke 12:32-48

Today's gospel presents to us the theme of remaining faithful as we wait for the return of the Lord. Jesus uses two parables to make this point as to encourage us to be vigilant and ready waiting for the coming of the Master. This passage is an opportunity where Jesus emphasizes the need for a real relationship with God. This gospel comes in the context where the Jews had just rejected Jesu, because He had denounced their vain religion. And His disciples are asking for an immediate coming of the kingdom, so that they may share power. They began to question Him about the future. Specifically, they wanted to know when He would return and what signs would signal His kingdom and His coming.

As Jesus answered the disciple’s questions about when He would return, He emphasized the uncertainty of that day and hour. God knows exactly when Christ will appear in glory to establish His kingdom. Within this context, the Lord delivers two parables which illustrate the unknown return of the master and propose preparation for the unexpected. I am sure that most of us, if not all believe in preparation for many uncertainties. We carry a spare tie in our cars as preparation for a flat. We have insurance in preparation for theft or accident, we have fire trucks in preparation for a fire, and we seek education in preparation for a good job. Preparation in our society is a sign of wisdom. But think about this: How do we prepare the coming of the Lord? How much effort do we put in the preparation to meet the Lord when he comes?

This is what comes out in the parables Jesus is telling, namely the Parable of the Watchful Servants and the parable of the Faithful and Unfaithful Servants. He uses these parables to illustrate the point of being prepared to meet Him. To sum up his ideas, Jesus is calling all professing believers to “Watch, to be ready, to be prepared, to expect the unexpected. Thinking about the unexpected raises the question: What can we do, day by day, to prepare for the unexpected?  What can we do to be ready?  What can we do to prepare ourselves for the tough time when our faith is put to the test? 

Two answers:

The first one I said it already: EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED.  That's the first point.  If life is anything, it's unpredictable.  Just when you think you've got everything under control and you can kick back and take it easy, something unexpected happens – a crisis occurs, and your life is thrown into a dilemma. Expect the unexpected.  Tragedy strikes like a thief in the night.  That's the first point, and the second is: 

STAY IN SHAPE.  Train for the day when the next crisis will occur. Keep yourself fit so that, when the day comes and your faith is tested, you will be ready and able to respond with strength and confidence. The sad truth is, when the moment of crisis does come, it's too late to start making preparations. Have you made the most of your opportunity to enter the kingdom of heaven? If you profess Christ as Lord and Savior, does your life reflect that you are prepared to meet Him?

The other questions are, how?  What can we do to develop a life of faith and a healthy relationship with God now, while we have time?  I'd like to offer one suggestion: LEARN TO PRAY. Just as communication is the foundation of any healthy relationship, so is communication with God the foundation of a life of faith. Can you imagine being friend with someone you never spoke to?  Conversation is the heart of friendship.  The same is true of our relationship with God. Talk to him in Prayer, in the meditation of the Sacred Scripture, in the service to our brothers and sisters, And in the sacraments, mostly the Holy Eucharist.