“…for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.”
To capture the good news of today’s readings, we must look at Luke’s gospel verses preceding and following today’s reading. In the opening verses of chapter 12, we hear loud and clear the voice of caution in an almost threatening tone: “…whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed from the housetops.” Yet, in the midst of apparent harshness, we also hear words of encouragement and of endearment: “Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.” In the today’s readings from Ephesians and psalm 85 we are given a vivid and real description of “his kingdom”. It is a time, a space, of be-ing. And, an existence of not be-ing “alienated from the community…”, of not be-ing “…strangers to the covenants of promise… strangers and sojourners…” Rather a time of be-ing “…fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God…”. It is a living experience of “peace”. It is a “dwelling in…Kindness and truth.” It is an encounter with, a be-ing with “Justice…and salvation, along the way of his (Christ’s) steps.” His kingdom is a be-ing, a total experience of Promise, Peace, Community, Kindness, Truth, Justice and Salvation. His (God’s) kingdom is to be. And how are we to prepare to be in His Kingdom? Today’s gospel tells us rather emphatically to be- ready, to live in a state of readiness, “Gird(ed)…like servants who await their master’s return…ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks”. To be ready is the message of today’s readings. “Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant…” “…Blessed are those…(who are) prepared.”. “…ready to open…” It is not a door which we are instructed, invited to open but rather our hearts. To be invited, to be welcomed into be-ing in ‘his kingdom’, a perpetual state of Peace, Community, Justice, and Salvation are hearts, minds, attitudes and actions must be prepared. Ready at least as far as humanly possible - straining, striving, yearning, working toward, preparing - to be in ‘his kingdom’. The sad news is that we deceive ourselves if we imagine this to be a description of today’s world. Likewise, for many, it is not a lived experience of our church. The goodnews, the encouraging news of today’s very poignant readings is that “the Holy Spirit will teach you (us) what to say…”. Will teach us how to live, how to be when our hearts are open. |