Gospel Reading for October 22, 2025 – Luke 12: 39-48
REGRET
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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As is often said, REGRET always comes after something has already happened. We hear people say, “Had I known this would happen, I could have avoided it.” And yet, a lot of us Filipinos say, “Bahala na!” or as the Spaniards taught us, “Que sera sera!” Before Typhoon Yolanda came, preparations were indeed made, but the preparations were not enough for a category 5 hurricane. International news warned of storm surges, but the people or the authorities did not seem to understand that it meant very strong and tall waves entering the city. Otherwise, the preparations would have taken that into account and there would have been less fatalities.
Such is the case if we live life throwing our cares away, as if there is no tomorrow; when we are thoughtful of only ourselves and do not care about others, especially those in need around us; when we wallow in greed for wealth and power, oblivious to the suffering it causes others. In short, it is living our life as if there is no eternity.
Can we say, “Bahala na!” even if we are forewarned by the teachings of Jesus as to what will happen in the after life? Sadly, in the after life, REGRET no longer exists.
Lord Jesus, teach us to live a life that is always ready to receive you anytime!
