Stay Awake and Be Ready

Stay Awake and Be Ready

Reflection on Matthew 24:42-51

In today’s Gospel from Matthew 24:42-51, Jesus gives us a sobering reminder: “Stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.” The message is clear—our Christian life is not meant to be one of complacency or carelessness, but of constant vigilance, rooted in faith, hope, and love.

Jesus compares the unprepared servant, who misuses his time and abuses others, to the faithful servant who remains steadfast even when the master is delayed. What makes the difference between the two? One lived as though the master could return at any moment, while the other acted as if he had all the time in the world.

This Gospel challenges us to examine our own hearts. How often do we delay conversion, saying, “Tomorrow I’ll pray more… tomorrow I’ll forgive… tomorrow I’ll be generous”? But tomorrow is not promised. The Lord calls us to live each day as if it could be our last—because one day, it will be.

Vigilance doesn’t mean living in fear; it means living in readiness. A faithful servant does not wait anxiously but lives joyfully, responsibly, and lovingly. This is the heart of Christian discipleship: to remain faithful in the ordinary tasks of daily life, knowing that each small act of love prepares us for the great day when we will meet Christ face to face.

Let us, then, stay awake—not with anxious hearts, but with hearts full of love, mercy, and faithfulness. When the Lord comes, may He find us ready, not just in words, but in deeds.

Key Takeaway: The best way to prepare for Christ’s coming is to live each day with faith, love, and vigilance—so that whenever He comes, He will find us ready and faithful.