Wednesday 29th week even numbered year
“You know quite well that if the householder had known at what time the burglar would come, he would not let anyone break through the wall of his house.You too must stand ready, because the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
Jesus tells us how necessary it is to remain very vigilant for we have a responsibility towards our brothers and sisters. Here we verify just how we are indeed in a dynamic of life, that we are nor settled here, but in movement, expectation, awaiting Jesus’ Coming. We do not know when our life will end, when the encounter with the Beloved will take place.
Today there is a fresh Beatitude given to us ; ’Blessed is the servant who, when his Master comes will find him at his work.’ This is the image of the worker who speaks about God’s Work. Everyone has a place in the world to bring about its global success : plumber, electrician, painter…Harmony will arise when each person brings about the work the master has decided for himself. It is the way I accomplish my task that this beatitude will become my own. This beatitude is given to the servant found at his work , content to be about his task. To truly wait for the Lord means to keep our faith in Him, in his Presence. The Gospel brings to birth an attitude of expectation and welcome of Jesus in us. The Coming Back of the Lord Jesus is not like a light that would shed light on the present moment, on the contrary, it lights up our present life!
"Peter said ’Lord, do you mean this parable for us or for everyone? ’The Lord replied, who then is the wise and trustworthy steward whom the master will place over his household to give them at the proper time their allowance of food?
Blessed is the servant if his master’s arrival finds him doing exactly that. I tell you truly, he will put him in charge of everything he owns. But if the servant says to himself ’My master is taking his time coming’ and sets about beating the menservants and the servants-girls, and eating and drinking and getting
drunk, his Master will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not know. The master will cut him off and send him tot he same fate as the unfaithful.“Jesus is speaking to those who have the responsibility of God’s work. We are absolutely sure that God does his Work in us, and that his Kingdom is developing. Jesus asks us to be faithful and to have the sense of responsibility in our lives. Faith makes us credible , in following God who He alone is credible. The Holy Spirit pours upon us a personal capacity that has us become aware how we are chosen by Him so as to be His privileged and chosen disciples. When someone in charge of a work site goes through it and sees everyone at work, we can understand the meaning of the Beatitude : ’Blessed are those who will be found at their work.”
"The servant who knows what his Master wants, but has got nothing ready and done nothing in accord with those wishes, will be given a great many strokes of the lash. The one who did not know, but has acted in such a way that he deserves a beating, will be given fewer strokes.
When someone is given a great deal, a great deal will be demanded of that person; when someone is entrusted with a great deal, of that person even more will be demanded."
We ask for huge humility and an exceptional vigilance in order to live out our responsibility. Humility, because we follow Jesus himself, moved by the Holy Spirit. Vigilance because Jesus gives us his Love and Light when he has invested us to serve Him and our sisters and brothers. The fidelity with which we work ensures the work God wishes to do. This is how the civilisation of Love can be established and brought about : it is in loving my work that I can show God the love I have for him. A real beatitude is given when God’s work is brought about and when the community is happily built up.
We are linked to Jesus by doing his Will. Jesus made Himself the servant of all people, he asks us to take a turn in saving Him. When He comes into his own home, there is nothing left to be done except to bring together saints for the end of time has come.
Jesus is always at our door, so close to us, he invites us to be vigilant so we shall recognise him when He comes.
We enter into the dynamic of the gift and service when we are more concerned about God and those recommended to us, we are free and joyful in Jesus.