Random thoughts from tomorrow's Gospel

Tomorrow's Gospel (Lk 12: 32-48) serves us a hearty food for thought (and living).

Appetizer: "Where your treasure is, there also will your heart be." (verse 34)

I am reminded of an anecdote cited by Fr. James Reuter:

Jose Rizal in his cell in Fort Santiago, just before he went out to die, said to Josephine Bracken - "My people have always been poor. For centuries, our treasures have been the land, the seas, the sun, the rain. But having nothing, we discovered that our real treasure was each other."

Main Course: "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." (verses 39-40)

We are all witnesses to the fact that many people die in the most unexpected of times. Sometimes, in a way, those who have terminal illnesses are blessed, in that they are constantly reminded that their time is near, and they can concentrate on preparing themselves.

Jesus reminds us that we must always be ready. This is not to set us to paranoid mode. He just reminds us to keep our vision clear, and our priorities right.

First, we are to be “dressed for action”. We go on with our daily lives, but we are to be mindful of what we do – that we remain, “blameless and pure until the coming of our Lord.” Let us not allow our vision of a life that goes beyond this world to blur.

Second, we are to keep our “lamps lit”. Our lives must be lived “in the light of truth” not “in the curse of the darkness”. We live not simply for ourselves, but with each other, through each other and for each other.

Maybe it is good to ask ourselves:

Are our lives, our hearts, shining with the light of forgiveness, grace, love and sharing, humility, and trust in God, or are we still languishing in the darkness of hatred, sin, selfishness, pride and prejudice and trusting only in ourselves, our material possessions and the world?

Dessert: "Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more." (verse 48)

A seminarian was sent out of the seminary. He asked Father Rector, "Why do you send me out, Father? I did not break any rule, I did nothing wrong." Father Rector answered, "Yes, you did nothing wrong, but did you do anything good?"

Have a blessed Sunday.