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. (Luke 12:39-40 NABRE)
Jesus talks to us in the gospel of Luke about the time we are living in right now. Though he speaks in parables, he is talking about the time between his ascension to the Father, which has already happened, and his return, which has not yet happened. He is speaking to each one of us in this very moment!
Jesus reminds us that he will be returning and that we should be living as if it could happen today. He tells us to be prepared, to be vigilant, and to be faithful servants as we wait.
The implications of this are many. They are played out in the encounters and situations we face throughout our days. But really, Jesus is encouraging us to live in such as way that gives honor to God and does not succumb to weaknesses of the flesh.
As Saint Paul tells us, "Therefore, sin must not reign over your mortal bodies so that you obey their desires." (Romans 6:12) Christians have been released from the grip of sin, but sin endeavors to reclaim its victims.*
Today, I will seek to constantly remember that divine grace has claimed me and identified me as someone who is alive for God's interests.*
Saint Hilarion, celebrated as the founder of monasticism in Palestine, pray for us.
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