Thoughts for the Day

* The parable of the talents.

Jesus said, 'Know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.’

Peter said, ‘Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for everyone?’ And the Lord said, ‘Who then is the faithful and prudent manager whom his master will put in charge of his slaves, to give them their allowance of food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. But if that slave says to himself, “My master is delayed in coming”, and if he begins to beat the other slaves, men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk, the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and put him with the unfaithful. That slave who knew what his master wanted, but did not prepare himself or do what was wanted, will receive a severe beating. But one who did not know and did what deserved a beating will receive a light beating. From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

As we have seen Chapter 12 of Luke's Gospel is about the future and the time when Jesus will return. The disciples thought this would happen in their life-time, but it was not to be. We must accept that God's time is different to ours. But the message is the same - we need to be ready for the time we will meet our Creator.

During the pandemic we were all forced to slow down and wait. Many were out of work, and if they were shielding family members even the one hour exercise outside was difficult. When our children or grandchildren ask us one day "What did you do in lockdown?", what will be our answer? Some will answer "I read books!" or "I studied", or "I did craft work". At least there was a set time for lockdown, but with Jesus there is absolutely no time given. He says we are to live in a state of readiness!

In today's reading, though, Jesus includes a new theme - one of responsibility. We are not to wait passively doing nothing. We are given responsibilities as Christians and are expected to use this waiting time actively carrying them out. Some have easy, simple, tasks to do and others enormous ones, and much more will be asked of the latter. But all Christians have responsibilities. Do we know what these are? There is no excuse for being idle. All members of the 'Body of Christ', ie the Church, must use their gifts to the best of their ability while they wait patiently for the return of their Lord and Master.

Lord Jesus,
You taught Your disciples and us
that we should live in a state of readiness
for Your return.
Help us to keep alert and patient,
not sleeping in sin
but active in working
for the coming completion
of Your Kingdom of love and peace.
May we embrace the gifts You have given us
and use them to the best of our ability
until our time is completed.
Amen.