October 21
At
An Unexpected Hour
 |
| Image created by Google AI Image Creator. |
Today’s Gospel:
Luke 12:39-48
(At An Unexpected
Hour)
“But know this, that if the householder
had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house
to 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 all?" And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and
wise steward, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their
portion of food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master
when he comes will find so doing. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all
his possessions. But if that servant says to himself, `My master is delayed in
coming,' and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink
and get drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not
expect him and at an hour, he does not know, and will punish him, and put him
with the unfaithful. And that servant who knew his master's will but did not
make ready or act according to his will, shall receive a severe beating. But he
who did not know, ….. Everyone to whom much is given, of him will much be
required; and of him to whom men commit much they will demand the more.”
Reflection:
Jesus
tells us he will come at an hour we don’t expect, like a thief in the night. He
doesn’t say it to frighten us. He says it to wake us up, because none of us
knows the day, and the real question isn’t whether he’s coming but whether
we’ll be ready when he does. There’s an enemy who would love for us to sleep
right through it, and he rarely kicks down the door. He whispers instead: maybe
tomorrow, there’s plenty of time, God can wait. A world that agrees with him
makes those whispers easy to believe, but we don’t have to.
Being ready doesn’t mean being perfect. I stumble, and so will you, but what
matters is that we get back up, say we’re sorry, and start again, because God
isn’t standing over us with a stick. He’s a Father who runs toward his lost
children. So, open his Word each day, pray even if it’s only a short prayer,
and go to Mass whenever you can, since there may come a day when you can’t.
Spend time with Jesus in adoration and let confession wipe the slate clean.
None of this comes from fear. It comes from joy, because this is what life is
really for.
Jesus also said that to whom much is given, much will be required, which means
whatever you have is a gift meant to be used. Help the neighbor who is
struggling, the family member stretched thin, or the stranger in need, and do
it quietly if you like, because God sees. The real treasure was never money or
comfort anyway. It’s the Holy Spirit alive in you, giving you faith, hope, and
love, and leading you straight to Jesus when you open the door to him. It is
Beneath the Standard of Mary that no one who runs to Jesus ever has to face the
night alone.
If the Master came tonight, what would he find you doing? What have you
been given that someone near you is waiting to receive, and what is one step
toward Jesus you can take before today ends.
Rosary
Man Jim 🌹
Freely
given. Freely shared.
