XIX Sunday of Ordinary Time Lk 12, 35-40
“You also must be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not think he will come.”
Lk 12:40 [LEB]
Brothers and Sisters,
Today we hear one of the big mysteries of the Christian faith about what will happen to life after death, the end of time, the afterlife judgment, or the clear distinction between heaven and hell. Today’s Gospel discusses the eschaton [Greek for the “last things] in the words of Jesus. In a particular way, we recognize that idea in the term eschatology as a branch of theology. Eschatology Also refers to the time of Jesus’ second coming. Concerning that, the main question is not focused on “when?” and “how” the end of time will come. Instead, it is focused on “what” we should do to make ourselves worthy of the Kingdom of God.
Jesus’ teaching in today’s Gospel makes it clear when he says: “You must be prepared for actioning and your lamps burning” [Lk 12:35]. So it is not a matter of time or how the Master will return when Jesus talks about “be alert.” But He says: “be like people who are waiting for” [Lk 12:36].
And what are we waiting for? When we talk about the eschaton or the “last things,” as a Christian, we are not only talking about the physical death or the timing of the natural death, which is beyond our human control. We believe that death is not to be feared by the believer, as St. Paul proclaims, “For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain” Php 1:21.
Indeed, we are waiting for the second coming of Jesus Christ, which is foretold in the Scripture [Mt 26:64, Lk 21:27, Act 1:11, Heb 9:28]
“You have said it. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power and coming on the clouds of heaven”
[Mt 26:64].
Again, Jesus emphasizes that the timing of His second coming is known only to the God of the Father, “But concerning that day and hour no one knows—not even the angels of heaven nor the Son—except the Father alone” [Mt 24:36]. Responding to the coming of the Master and also the “last things,” Jesus asks us to “wating” and “be alert.” “Wait and alert” must be seen positively to avoid hypocrisy. It has to bear fruit as a Christian, “You also must be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not think he will come.” Lk 12:40.
So,
Do not waste your time,
Wait, be alert, and be ready.
Salam Misioner
RDHJ