Jesus said to his disciples:
“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.” (Lk 12:35-38)
There are so many organizations that use the motto “Be Prepared”. The one that most sticks out in my mind is the scouts. They constantly remind those in the scouting program of the importance of being prepared. After all, if they are not prepared, they learn, some terrible things could happen.
If they are prepared, however, they could conceivably save someone’s life.
It is the same way with our spiritual readiness. And, in that case, the life we “save” may very well be our own.
When Jesus comes to call, we are reminded, we need to be ready.
There are many ways to prepare ourselves: prayer, good works, fasting, almsgiving. These, and many other ways, help us to prepare for the moment when Jesus comes and knocks.
If He finds us prepared, it will go well for us. If He does not find us prepared, well, let’s try not to think about that. Instead, let us do everything in our power to make sure that we are ready.
FAITH ACTION: Pray for the grace necessary to live your life in readiness this day so that you may welcome the Lord when He knocks on the door of your soul.