Luke 12:32-48
"Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms; provide yourselves with purses that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. "Let your loins be girded and your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the marriage feast, so that they may open to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes; truly, I say to you, he will gird himself and have them sit at table, and he will come and serve them. If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those servants! 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, and did what deserved a beating, shall receive a light beating. Every one to whom much is given, of him will much be required; and of him to whom men commit much they will demand the more.
Personal Reflection
The Lord has harsh words for us. It is all too often that we become lazy in our spiritual lives. We have faith and are "good people," but we lose the passion for living every day in and for Christ. Am I lukewarm in the practice of my faith? If so, how can I become more fervent? If not, how can I keep fanning the flame and remain alive in Christ?
I believe we are experiencing the new springtime in the world that our beloved John Paul II prophesied. There are so many good things happening in corners of the world that we must focus on building His kingdom here on earth...now. It can be to easy to become discouraged in our culture of death, but there is reason to hope. God is present. What am I doing to participate in the new springtime? How do I keep my focus on hope and not fall into despair?
I think it was Dante who said that the hottest places of hell are reserved for those in the face of a crucible do nothing. Am I actively seeking God's will in my life? Do I embrace the challenging expectations He has of me? Much is demanded of us. How do I persevere and not whine about my sufferings?
We must be ready. For every day, we should live as if God might judge us that night. I know this is not on my mind as often as it should be. Is it on yours? Do I consistently examine my conscience every day and make resolutions for the following day? Do I make excuses for my shortcomings or do I ask the Lord for His divine assistance in healing my broken soul? What am I doing on a daily basis to grow closer to God, closer to my Heavenly reward?
