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Gospel Reading for October 23, 2024 – Luke 12: 39-48
LIFE WORK
Jesus said to his disciples: “Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”
Then Peter said, “Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?” And the Lord replied, “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? Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so. Truly, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property. But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, to eat and drink and get drunk, then that servant’s master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish the servant severely and assign him a place with the unfaithful. That servant who knew his master’s will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely; and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating shall be beaten only lightly. Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”
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Being prepared for the coming of the Lord is a full-time job, meaning, it entails a LIFETIME. This is because the coming of the Lord is the goal, therefore, there is only one preparation to make. The preparation cannot be just every now and then, otherwise, it runs counter to the meaning of being prepared.
To prepare for the coming of the Lord is to do our best in putting to good use the gifts we are endowed with, all throughout our lives. This is why it is important to discern the right vocation to which we will dedicate ourselves and give our very best. It is this LIFE WORK that we have to present to the Lord when he comes. It is upon this LIFE WORK that we will be judged.
Let us ponder on this hymn written by John W. Peterson, JESUS IS COMING AGAIN –
Marvelous message we bring;
Glorious carol we sing;
Wonderful word of the King;
Jesus is coming again.
Coming again, coming again,
maybe morning, maybe noon,
maybe evening, and maybe soon.
Coming again, coming again;
Oh what a wonderful day it will be,
Jesus is coming again!
Forest and flower exclaim;
Mountain and meadow the same;
All earth and heaven proclaim;
Jesus is coming again!
Standing before Him at last;
Trial and trouble all past;
Crowns at His feet we will cast;
Jesus is coming again!
Coming again, coming again,
maybe morning, maybe noon,
maybe evening, and maybe soon.
Coming again, coming again;
Oh what a wonderful day it will be,
Jesus is coming again!
