Joyfully Wait
“Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them.” (Luke 12:37)
“Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them.” (Luke 12:37)
In today’s gospel, Jesus continues to teach his disciples about what really matters in the kingdom of God. It is not about hoarding wealth and goods like the rich fool who hoarded his goods in vain only to have his life end abruptly. It is not about being worried and anxious about our daily needs. Instead, it’s about seeking the kingdom of God, doing God’s will and trusting him with everything else. What matters most is that we be faithful servants, vigilant, ready and eager for the return of our Master.
Jesus also teaches us about the heart of the master and his boundless generosity. When he arrives from a long journey and finds his servants faithfully and vigilantly waiting for him, he invites them to recline at table and he himself humbly proceeds to wait on them. The master serves his servants!
Jesus is this generous master to us, who “did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). We are so blessed to be his servants. He does not ask us to be successful, just faithful. In turn, he invites us to recline at his Eucharistic table every day. He gives himself to us to nourish and strengthen us daily with his own Body and Blood.
Let us be faithful, vigilant servants who eagerly await our Master’s return until that day when he calls us home to recline at his heavenly banquet with his saints.
St. John Paul II, pray for us!
If the Lord knocked on my door today, would he find me a faithful servant, ready and eager to welcome him?
Jesus, grant us the grace to remain faithful and vigilant servants as we joyfully and eagerly await your return. Amen.
Alicia Goodwin is the Director of the Marian Servants of Divine Providence®, a Public Association of the Faithful of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, and a community of Spirit-filled men and women guiding God’s people to healing, freedom and purpose in Christ through healing prayer, spiritual direction, and retreats. Their Cenacle of Our Lady of Divine Providence School of Spiritual Direction® offers certification for spiritual directors in association with Franciscan University of Steubenville. They are located at Our Lady of Divine Providence House of Prayer® by Old Tampa Bay in Clearwater, FL. where all are welcome to attend Masses, Adoration and special speaker events. Alicia holds a Master’s in Theological Studies from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, TX and a B.A. in Languages and Linguistics from Florida Atlantic University. She and her husband Lee have 3 children, 4 grandchildren and one adorable great grandchild. For more information on the Marian Servants please visit www.divineprovidence.org.
