Luke 12:35-37,42-44
Are you ready for anything that comes your way? Some of us might quip "I was born ready!" But that most likely alludes to sexual prowess. There is a great deal more to life than sex. Yes, of all people, I am saying that, the person who believes sex is a magnificent gift from God, part of our being and to be enjoyed ( and appreciated ) to the full.
A second thought might be that this passage is speaking of the spiritual realm. We should never put off things, or allow ourselves to foolishly think there will be time later to repent or redress or sins. We are not guaranteed any time and as we know, many people seem to be called home to the Lord long before we think it is time. As the parable says, if the owner knew what time the thief was coming he would have been waiting. We know nothing of future events. Prognosticators are wrong all the time. The only equivalent stats are for the weather forecasters.
There is another level to this meaning of being ready. I get it even more clearly the older I get and the closer to retirement I come. In practical terms it's about money. The Lord would love it if we all had no money concerns but that is not our lived reality. Jesus said we will always have the poor. Jesus preached about using your gifts wisely if not being actually shrewd with your money.
I suppose at this time of year when people are torn equally between the spiritual meaning of Christmas and finding money to spend on endless presents, money planning might seem to have been a good idea. In fact, that's sort of where I am heading with this. If we would be more wise with our money, there would be some there when you want it for something truly important. This is true for retirement. This is true for the holidays. This is also very true when you think of the money that is needed by all if us to raise the political conscienceness of the world around us. Aside from retirement, gift, vacations and a roof over our head, we are called to use the gifts we have wisely. That includes for those in need, those in need in our own community, those marginalized and oppressed.
It had taken me far too long to realize how important it is to be prudent with money if not penurious so that we are prepared. So we can say we are ready in every way.
Are you ready ? Prepare yourselves.
Are you ready for anything that comes your way? Some of us might quip "I was born ready!" But that most likely alludes to sexual prowess. There is a great deal more to life than sex. Yes, of all people, I am saying that, the person who believes sex is a magnificent gift from God, part of our being and to be enjoyed ( and appreciated ) to the full.
A second thought might be that this passage is speaking of the spiritual realm. We should never put off things, or allow ourselves to foolishly think there will be time later to repent or redress or sins. We are not guaranteed any time and as we know, many people seem to be called home to the Lord long before we think it is time. As the parable says, if the owner knew what time the thief was coming he would have been waiting. We know nothing of future events. Prognosticators are wrong all the time. The only equivalent stats are for the weather forecasters.
There is another level to this meaning of being ready. I get it even more clearly the older I get and the closer to retirement I come. In practical terms it's about money. The Lord would love it if we all had no money concerns but that is not our lived reality. Jesus said we will always have the poor. Jesus preached about using your gifts wisely if not being actually shrewd with your money.
I suppose at this time of year when people are torn equally between the spiritual meaning of Christmas and finding money to spend on endless presents, money planning might seem to have been a good idea. In fact, that's sort of where I am heading with this. If we would be more wise with our money, there would be some there when you want it for something truly important. This is true for retirement. This is true for the holidays. This is also very true when you think of the money that is needed by all if us to raise the political conscienceness of the world around us. Aside from retirement, gift, vacations and a roof over our head, we are called to use the gifts we have wisely. That includes for those in need, those in need in our own community, those marginalized and oppressed.
It had taken me far too long to realize how important it is to be prudent with money if not penurious so that we are prepared. So we can say we are ready in every way.
Are you ready ? Prepare yourselves.
‘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. And the Lord said, ‘Who then is the faithful and prudent manager whom his master will put in charge of his slaves, to give them their allowance of food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions.
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