How often do we say the word, “later”? “I’ll call you later.” “We’ve got to have dinner – later.” I’ll get to that… later.” We so easily miss the present moment – we put off. Jesus said in the gospel, “Let your loins be girded and your lamps lit.” In other words, be ready, be alert, be awake to the present moment.
But ready for what? Some suggest that these words are about the second coming of Jesus or maybe the end of our lives here on earth. But I would suggest Jesus is talking about being ready for His presence breaking into our lives now – is small, hidden, unexpected ways.
Think about it, the master’ in the parable returns at night. That is when we least expect anything meaningful to happen. But God often arrives not in daylight, but in the dark – when we are tired, discouraged, or distracted. That is when grace often knocks.
And here is the surprise in this story: when the master finds the servants awake and ready, he serves them. He sits them down and puts on the servant’s apron. That is not how the world works – but it is how the kingdom of God works.
Jesus is not a master who demands fear and obedience – He is a master who lives to serve. His “coming” is not to catch us off guard, but to invite us to share His joy, His table, His life.
So how do we stay ready? Not by being anxious. Not by living in fear. But by living with attention. Loving our neighbor. Keeping our hearts soft. Being ready to forgive. Welcoming the stranger. Living each day as if it matters. Being ready to drop everything if Jesus asked something of us today.
Readiness, in the kingdom of God, is not about knowing the schedule. It is about living faithfully in the present. “Blessed are those servants,” Jesus says. Not because they figured it all out, but because they were simply awake to the moment. Sometimes we say, “I will get serious about my faith later…when life slows down…. when the kids are older…. when I retire. I will go to that Alpha experience next year. I will start praying with the scriptures this winter when things are quiet. This parable tells today is the day – God comes today, as we go about our ordinary tasks – washing dishes, going to work, helping a neighbor, making a phone call, in the friend who reaches out with a heavy heart, in the whisper of peace we feel in prayer, in the many invitations to deepen our faith – are we awake to God’s presence? Let us keep our lamps lit. Because Christ meets us not just in church, but in every act of love.
Stay awake. Be ready. The Lord is near.