Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit

Rom. 5:12.15.17-19.20-21, Lk. 12:35-38. In today's first reading, Paul describes how humanity was negatively affected by the sin of Adam. Though, we are descendants of Adam but we are united more by our bond with Jesus. Through Adam we share in the sins, prejudices and selfish pride inherent in human nature, but through Jesus there is an overflowing grace that can change our lives. In Jesus, we find the abounding, amazing grace of salvation, leading us towards eternal life. The love of Christ should form us to do the will of God, to receive the abundant grace obtained by His submission to the will of His Father by His suffering, death and His resurrection. In today's Gospel, Jesus presents an allegory to His disciples: “Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return... Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes." 

Normally, the roles of master and servant are at opposite ends of a spectrum, but in Jesus they are combined. In His brief reference to the master’s return, Jesus overturns oriental custom in a remarkable way. When the lord of a large household returns, his servants must wait on him, but Jesus imagines a reversal of roles. The master will put on an apron, seat the servants at table and proceed to wait on them. The master shows this sign of honour to his servants in response to their faithful vigilance. Just as the faithful, obedient and vigilant servants are ready for their master’s return whenever the master arrives, so His disciples must be ever ready to do the will of God and wait for the second coming of the Lord Jesus. We must still be waiting, yes, ready to open the door of our heart and share what we have, should Jesus come even at midnight or before sunrise. If we live our daily lives well, we will be ready to welcome His special coming at the end of life. The Lord who sustain us expects us to be faithful and vigilant, so that we are ready to open the door for Him at any time: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.”

May the Lord help us to take delight in doing the will of God so that His Law may continue to guide us all the days of our life! Amen!! Good morning and have a pleasant day!!!