Good News Reflection
Thursday of the 21st Week of Ordinary Time
August 26, 2010
Today's Readings:
1 Cor 1:1-9
Ps 145:1-7
Matt 24:42-51
http://www.usccb.org/nab/082610.shtml
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/10_08_26.mp3
When Jesus comes for you
What will Jesus find you doing when he comes for you? This does not necessarily mean he will make his Second Coming appearance in your lifetime. But most certainly he will come for you in the moment when you die. What will you be doing for the kingdom of God at the time of your death?
As Jesus says in today's Gospel reading, we don't know when that will happen. What if you have a brain aneurysm while you're watching a movie that glorifies violence or non-married sex or other immoralities? What if you have a massive heart attack while swearing angrily at a motorist who cuts you off on the highway? Jesus comes for you and says – ?
Hey, it could happen! There is no guarantee that our death will come while we're being nice to someone. Nor can we count on dying in bed peacefully while a priest gives us the Sacraments of Anointing and Holy Communion to send us on our way to heavenfree from all sin.
Jesus tells us: "Stay awake! Don't get sleepy and close your eyes to the needs around you! Pay attention! Look at what you could be doing!"
St. Paul points out in today's first reading that God endows us abundantly with every gift and talent that we need, every bit of knowledge that we need, and all the strength and endurance that we need to remain blameless until Christ comes for us. How do we remain blameless? By serving his kingdom right up to the moment of death, even with our dying breaths!
The far-sighted servant that Jesus mentions is one who wastes no time in worthless activities that have no eternal value. The faithful servant is one who helps build God's kingdom, all the time. Everything we do can have eternal value, but only IF we pay attention to the Holy Spirit's guidance and IF we do everything for the glory of God.
Washing dishes can have eternal value. Taking a friend out to dinner certainly has eternal value. We work for God when we smile at a stranger or give a compliment. We can serve his kingdom in the way we drive and in the birthday cards we send. Every task in our jobs glorifies God if we do it well and honestly. How we spend our money can honor God. Each word we speak should bless and not curse.
We don't have to be constantly active in ministry to be God's faithful servant. But we do have to stay awake and alert to what we're doing, how we're doing it, and for whom we're doing it. Ultimately, everything we do should bless the kingdom of God.
© 2010 by Terry A. Modica
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