Memorial of Saint Monica
In today’s gospel, Jesus uses a parable to contrast the faithful and prudent servant with the wicked servant. The good servant distributes food to the household. However, the wicked servant neglects his duty, beats his fellow servants, and spends his day with eating and drinking with drunkards. Jesus’ warning is made clear at the conclusion of the parable. The servant’s master will come on an unexpected day and hour and will punish him severely for not caring for his servants.
We should always be ready for our Lord’s return. But the question that comes to mind is how do we prepare for God’s return? If Jesus were to return right now, how would he find us? Are we like the wicked servant, focused entirely on ourselves? Or are we striving to be like the faithful and prudent servant, focused on the needs of our brothers and sisters? Throughout the gospels, Jesus speaks about being awake and paying attention. Are we so preoccupied with the business of life and our own particular cares and concerns that we sometimes forget to watch and pray? In a past homily, Pope Benedict said, “Our real drowsiness is that we don’t feel God’s presence…it would disturb us so we stay on the path of our own comfort. We must stay vigilant in order to do good.”
Jesus invites us to ready ourselves for his return. Each time we come to Mass and receive Him in the Eucharist we ready ourselves. When we open our hearts to Him in prayer or through our spiritual exercises we prepare. Partaking in the sacrament of reconciliation or meditating on scriptures are simple actions we can take to help us be prepared. The Lord gives us his Holy Spirit so that we may have the wisdom, help, and strength we need to turn away from sin to embrace God’s call to mercy, love, and fidelity. Let us pray that we may stay awake and alert to the Holy Spirit and follow his lead.
-Jessica Gabrielli