Be on Your Guard for the Lord’s Arrival

By Francis Gayang csc –

Readings: Ezek 18:25-28; Phil 2:1-11; Mt 21:28-32

Jesus is interested in how authentic I am with myself and my responsibility: even when the master is not in the house, how do I carry on with my responsibilities? Jesus looks for the time that I least expect. It is at this time that Jesus pronounces his view whether I’m a worthy servant ready to serve as his instrument or not.

“If you only love to those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even the tax collectors do that much” (Mt 5:46). Likewise, if I am only ready because I know he is coming, what is so special about my response? Jesus wishes me to be an ever-ready instrument to be used by the Lord, whenever is needed. My call from Christ is not only a privilege but a responsibility to be a steward of his household, to form myself through his word and transform all that I learn into service for the good of all.

All that I have are in the hand of God, what little I have in my control is my present. Therefore I am warned to be alert to search for things that are from above and go beyond the earthly temptations. My mind, heart and strength should therefore focus on the greater glory of God. But the task lies here: I do not know when and how my earthy pilgrimage will expire. For that Jesus gives me an advice in this passage, “be on your guard then because you do not know what day and what hour our Lord will come.”