Gospel: Prepare for the Coming of the Lord

Today marks the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, and the Gospel proclamation will be lifted from the faithful account of St Luke (click here for today's Mass readings from USCCB).

Jesus' instructions on how to be ready for the coming judgment continue in the stories and sayings found in today's Gospel. We are not to be like the greedy rich man in last Sunday's Gospel who planned to store his great harvest in barns rather than share it. We are, rather, to share our wealth with those in need. The antidote for the anxiety brought on by the coming judgment is to relinquish our possessions and provide for the needs of others. Our treasure will be in heaven where it will not wear out or be destroyed.

The other major way to be ready for the coming judgment is to be watchful. In St Luke's Gospel, Jesus tells a parable about watchfulness to begin making this point. We must be like servants waiting for the master's return from a wedding banquet, which, even now, can last a few days in the Middle East. We must be watchful so that even if the master comes after midnight, we will be ready for him. This is what the Son of Man will be like.

St Peter asks if this parable is meant for the apostles or for the large crowd that has gathered to listen to Jesus. Without answering the question, Jesus responds with another parable about servants awaiting the return of their master. It begins with a question: "Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his servants to distribute the food allowance at the proper time?" This parable adds to the theme of watchfulness; it explains how to wait and reminds us of the reward for the faithful follower at the heavenly banquet after the judgment. If it is addressed to the apostles, then it could also be addressed to the leadership of the early Church. Either way, the parables remind us that we should be found doing our jobs when the master arrives. If we are found doing so, our reward would be great. But if we relax, neglect our duties, and begin to act like the greedy man - eating, drinking, and merry making - we will not have a place in the kingdom. Watchfulness means living in such a consistently moral and obedient way that we are always ready to give an account to God of how we have lived.

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