Gospel: Lk 12:35-38
JESUS said to his disciples: “Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants.”
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Jesus uses the imagery of a wedding in his time in which the servants wait for the return of their master, usually around midnight. The master is not the bridegroom, but only a guest at the wedding. When he comes home, he should not wait long for the door to open. He may be tired from traveling or walking from the party.
It is surprising to note that the master rewards the vigilant servants who immediately open for him. He serves them at table as if he is their servant. The preparation for his return, then, is also for the servants’ good.
The lazy or sleepy ones who do not keep vigil will not receive any reward. They will miss the excitement of being served by the master.
Christians must always be prepared to meet the Lord in his word and sacrament. He comes to us in many other ways. We cannot dictate when or how he will come to us. Blessed are we who are not so occupied with trivial things and are conditioned to receive the Lord and his inspiration anytime he knocks.
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SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2017” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
