Daily Reading
First Reading
Romans 5:12, 15 b, 17-19, 20 b-21
Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death came through sin, and so death spread to all because all have sinned. But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died through the one man’s trespass, much more surely have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for the many.
If, because of one man’s trespass, death exercised dominion through that one, much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. Therefore just as one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man’s act of righteousness leads to acquittal and life for all.
For just as by one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. But law came in, with the result that the trespass might increase; yet where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, just as sin exercised dominion in death, so grace might also exercise dominion through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Psalm
Psalm 40 7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 17
Then I said, “Here I am; in the scroll of the book it is written of me.”
I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.
I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; see, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord.
I have not hidden your saving help within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation. As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me; you are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God.
Gospel Reading
Luke 12:35-38
“Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.”
Reflection
Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the faithful servant whom the master finds vigilant on his return from a wedding. He is calling us to be vigilant for the Second Coming.
Though Jesus came and fulfilled the expectations of his people, nevertheless we still wait. The liturgy states it clearly: “As we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.” And in Eucharistic Prayer IV, we find, “As we await his coming in glory . . .” The creed says, “He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead.”
In the Acts of the Apostles, the angel addresses the disciples as they stare into the heavens after the ascended Jesus. “Why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.” Paul’s letters are filled with a lively expectation that Jesus would soon return. Toward the very end of the New Testament—and hence of the entire biblical revelation—we read, “Come, Lord Jesus!”
And the Lord draws a forceful conclusion from the parable: “You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”