As I’ve aged, I find my body slowing down, and I’m not as alert or as fully awake as I ought to be. However, over the years, I’ve discovered that I feel truly alive only when I am serving the Lord and my brethren. I’m reinvigorated, and the fire of the Holy Spirit burns bright within me.
As we approach Advent, today’s Gospel reminds us to stand alert and awake with our lamps lit, ready to greet the Lord when He comes. Our Lord who through His righteousness alone had redeemed us by life, death and Resurrection. What better greeting can there be than to say, “Here I am, Lord, I’ve come to do Your will.” Amen.
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First reading
Romans 5:12,15,17-21 ·
Divine grace, coming through Jesus Christ, came as an abundant free gift
Sin entered the world through one man, and through sin death, and thus death has spread through the whole human race because everyone has sinned; but the gift itself considerably outweighed the fall. If it is certain that through one man’s fall so many died, it is even more certain that divine grace, coming through the one man, Jesus Christ, came to so many as an abundant free gift. If it is certain that death reigned over everyone as the consequence of one man’s fall, it is even more certain that one man, Jesus Christ, will cause everyone to reign in life who receives the free gift that he does not deserve, of being made righteous. Again, as one man’s fall brought condemnation on everyone, so the good act of one man brings everyone life and makes them justified. As by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by one man’s obedience many will be made righteous. When law came, it was to multiply the opportunities of failing, but however great the number of sins committed, grace was even greater; and so, just as sin reigned wherever there was death, so grace will reign to bring eternal life thanks to the righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ our Lord.
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Gospel
Luke 12:35-38
Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘See that you are dressed for action and have your lamps lit. Be like men waiting for their master to return from the wedding feast, ready to open the door as soon as he comes and knocks. Happy those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. I tell you solemnly, he will put on an apron, sit them down at table and wait on them. It may be in the second watch he comes, or in the third, but happy those servants if he finds them ready.’
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