- 1st Reading – Wisdom 18:6-9
- 2nd Reading – Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19
- Gospel – Luke 12:32-48
Today’s readings are about faith. The 1st reading attests to the steady faith of the Israelites through the centuries, a faith in God’s love that prepared them to endure hardships confident that they would be delivered.
Our second reading from Hebrews is a testament to the faith of Abraham. Abraham’s faith in God’s promises is the basis for the Israelites journey to the heavenly homeland.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us the need for faith in order to be ready for God’s Kingdom. He uses two parables as examples of the need to always be ready. We know not when our master will return or when we’ll be called to return to Him.
In one parable, Jesus tells of a master going to a wedding celebration leaving servants in charge of his estate. In those days a wedding feast could last possibly several days. No one knew when it would end (It probably depended on how long the wine lasted). But the point is that the servants did not know when the master would return. So they needed always be vigilant so as not to be caught off guard.
The other parable is identical in theme. The master of a house does not know when a thief may come, so he too must be vigilant and not caught off guard.
Our faith is Jesus Christ is what makes us prepared for our masters return. We must continually persevere in our faith and never let our guard down. Jesus told us clearly no one but the Father knows when the time will come.
Jesus warns us that those who are not prepared for their master’s return will be severely punished. But those who have prepared for the kingdom will be rewarded immensely.