DAILY GRACE
October 21, 2020, Wednesday of the 29th Week of Ordinary Time
Scripture: Luke 12:39-48
‘But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.’
Peter said, ‘Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for everyone?’ And the Lord said, ‘Who then is the faithful and prudent manager whom his master will put in charge of his slaves, to give them their allowance of food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. But if that slave says to himself, “My master is delayed in coming”, and if he begins to beat the other slaves, men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk, the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and put him with the unfaithful. That slave who knew what his master wanted, but did not prepare himself or do what was wanted, will receive a severe beating. But one who did not know and did what deserved a beating will receive a light beating. From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Meditation:
“‘. . . for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour. “
In today’s Gospel, Jesus may seem as if he is giving advice to homeowners on safety measures and security, but actually he is speaking about being prepared. Jesus is readying his listeners, not for disaster, but for a time of rejoicing —- in fact, for the greatest moment of their lives. The kingdom is coming! The Master will return at a time we can’t know. We can anticipate it, however, and this is what Jesus is advising his followers to do. In the preceding passage, Jesus says we should be standing by the door fully dressed, expecting the master of the house to return at any moment. For this would mean we are “wearing” our faith.
Peter asks is the example is for the disciples only or for everyone in general. Immediately Jesus directs his call for preparedness toward the disciples. Any observant and diligent servant, he says, would go about his duties with equal diligence whether his master was in the house or on his way home.
What does this say to us? That more will be expected isn’t necessarily welcome news for someone who feels burdened trying to live the life of a faithful Christian. Our life with Christ requires a lot of diligence and vigilance. Will we be up to taking on more? Yes, because the Master puts on his apron and waits on the servant whom he finds prepared. He will give us what is needed for the requests he makes of us. If we ae prepared we will be able to see this and rejoice.
Prayer
Lord, you are the Master of the house. Teach me to be alert to your coming, always ready and prepared for your arrival. Help me to be a faithful steward of your gifts, alert and kind toward others serving me. I do not know the day of your final coming, but the kingdom is here and now. Keep me ready to serve, ready to witness, ready to rejoice with you at every moment and for eternity. Amen.
Contemplation
Lord, I am alert to your coming.