When I was in elementary, I joined the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP). The vision-mission of the Boy Scouts is to help the youth develop values and acquire competencies to become responsible citizens and capable leaders anchored on the Scout Oath and Law. Its motto is the famous line “Maging Laging Handa” (Be prepared at all times). As a boy scout, I participated in different camping activities, leadership trainings, and other programs. The senior scouts instilled in the junior members the need to be prepared at all times, especially during disasters, tragedies, accidents, and others. Now that I am in the seminary, the learnings I received from the BSP are still applicable not only in preparing for disasters and emergencies but, more importantly, for the Lord’s second coming.

Today’s Gospel reminds us that God will come when we least expect it. Hence, we must always be prepared. Jesus warns us that there is never a time to lose our focus on Him, never a time to relegate God’s kingdom to second place. The time of His return will be a surprise, but it will not be a cause of distress if we are always ready and watchful.

The Gospel today encourages us to become more observant of times and our surroundings. We must be ready for the Lord’s return. We cannot simply choose a time to be ready, but we must be prepared at all times. Stay dressed for action, keep the lamps burning, and live every day in expectation of our master’s coming. When He comes, we will be blessed, sit at the banquet table, and live forever in the house of the Lord.

By: Sem. Jimwell S. Sales

Today’s Gospel

Luke 12: 32-48

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not be afraid any longer, little flock,
for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.
Sell your belongings and give alms.
Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out,
an inexhaustible treasure in heaven
that no thief can reach nor moth destroy.
For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.

“Gird your loins and light your lamps
and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding,
ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.
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.
And should he come in the second or third watch
and find them prepared in this way,
blessed are those servants.
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.”

Then Peter said,
“Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?”
And the Lord replied,
“Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward
whom the master will put in charge of his servants
to distribute the food allowance at the proper time?
Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so.
Truly, I say to you, the master will put the servant
in charge of all his property.
But if that servant says to himself,
‘My master is delayed in coming,’
and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants,
to eat and drink and get drunk,
then that servant’s master will come
on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour
and will punish the servant severely
and assign him a place with the unfaithful.
That servant who knew his master’s will
but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will
shall be beaten severely;
and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will
but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating
shall be beaten only lightly.
Much will be required of the person entrusted with much,
and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”