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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 the servants 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. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”
Sister Margaret Norris and Barbara Bluntzer in prayer
Reflection
It was 1984 and our Dad was hospitalized and waiting a very serious and extensive surgery. Our family stood by anxiously sipping coffee, surrounding him with great love and prayer. The unspoken question: “Was this the hour the Son of Man would come for Dad?” I can laugh about it now, but as the oldest daughter I had this urgency to take charge of something … anything! I “suggested” we each write our name on a coffee mug. No more questioning, “It this mine? Or yours?”
The name on my mug said it all: “Dad’s favorite.” Dad delighted in the antics of his youngest daughter drinking from my mug; no question in her mind, she was his favorite, too. It’s not a long shot to say our father’s favorite, all four of us, were together in one room.
This Gospel we read today reminded me of our Dad’s trust in the Father’s great love for him. He was faithful to God and God was faithful to him. He was ready to see God face to face. Dad was like a servant awaiting the Master’s return. There would be no “thief” knocking at his door!
The terrific good news is that our God loves you and me just as much. Sisters and brothers, there’s no need to even pretend sibling rivalry. We are, without exception, God’s favored ones. And like a good Dad, our God has entrusted us, the beloved baptized, to be missionary disciples of Jesus, faithful and prudent servants.
“Much is required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.” When we humbly acknowledge we truly are God’s beloved, called to be faithful and prudent servants, there is no need to fall victim to greed, self-indulgence, desire for power and prestige.
God remains faithful to us. We are less fearful. We are willing to do our best to be ready for the Lord’s coming at any time. We walk on faith feet and ask for grace sufficient enough for the day. We don’t need to be taking charge, especially if we step back and pay attention to what God demands of us, coffee mug in hand or not! God is the master and we are God’s people. I’ll drink to that. How about you?
Action
Suggestions for prayer and reflection: Have you come to believe in God’s faithfulness to you? Where in your life do you desire to be more faith-filled?
Take time to delight in the faithfulness of family, friends, yourself and God!
Speak with God, the One who loves you unconditionally, about your fears, hopes, needs and desires.
Sister Mary Mundy is the fourth generation of the Mundy family who is a Sister of Providence. When first generation, Theresa, professed vows in 1875, three of our founding Sisters were still alive. It's no wonder that Sister Mary, who entered the congregation in 1964, has a great love for this congregation. She presently ministers as a Pastoral Associate at Holy Rosary Parish in Evansville, Indiana, and enjoys involvement with associates in the local Providence Associates Circle.
Thank you, Mary, for this reflection. As my father’s oldest (and his favorite) I could easily relate to this. Walking on ‘faith feet’, ‘much is required’, being ‘less fearful’, and no need to take charge all struck home for me. Thank you!
This is so you, Mary. Thank you for reminding me how much and equally all are loved. (But I’m pretty sure my Mom loved me Best because I was the middle child.),
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Thank you, Mary, for this reflection. As my father’s oldest (and his favorite) I could easily relate to this. Walking on ‘faith feet’, ‘much is required’, being ‘less fearful’, and no need to take charge all struck home for me. Thank you!
This is so you, Mary. Thank you for reminding me how much and equally all are loved. (But I’m pretty sure my Mom loved me Best because I was the middle child.),