August 7, 2022, Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
The theme of today’s Gospel is one that is probably more familiar to us. This is because it is among the lessons which are more frequently taught by Jesus. It is a parable about the need for preparedness while awaiting the return of Jesus. We find it in stories such as The Faithful vs. The Wicked Servant (Mt. 24:45-51), The Ten Virgins (Mt. 25:1-13), The Unknown Day and Hour (Mt. 24:36-44), and The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats (Mt. 25:31-46).
Today’s parable is found in Luke (12:32-48) and is known as the Vigilant and Faithful Servants. Jesus tells his followers to be prepared as if they are servants awaiting the return of their master from a wedding. When the master returns and finds that they are prepared for him, he will be so happy that he will wait on them at table instead of them performing their regular roles of waiting on the master.
He continues to tell them that the master might come “in the second or third watch,” meaning in the middle of the night, and they still need to be prepared. Regardless of the time of day they are to act as if they are watching for a burglar to prevent him from breaking into the house. This Jesus compares to how they should behave in waiting for the Son of Man, who will come when he is least expected.
Peter, often the spokesman for the disciples, asks Jesus if this is a parable for only the twelve or is it for everyone. Jesus answers once again with another parable. He contrasts the behavior of two different stewards, one who distributes food at the proper time and place to the household and another who disregards his duties, beats the other male and female servants, and eats and gets drunk. The latter steward will be punished severely for shirking his duties in such a blatant way. This is because he was entrusted but failed with important responsibilities. While the former steward may receive only a minimal beating if he has not performed perfectly because he has been given only slight authority.
This message would have been especially important for the twelve disciples, who represent the steward with greater influence. They will be the leaders of the church of Christ after his ascension, while awaiting his return. As leaders they will be responsible for not only their own work, but for the work of the community as a whole. For this reason, the disciples are given a reminder to be prepared by Jesus. This also happens to reflect the theme of the First Reading.
It is a reading from the book of Wisdom (Wis. 18:6-9) which deals with the night of Passover, a special event for all of Israel held captive in Egypt at the time of the Exodus. They were given special instructions by the Lord, to sacrifice a Passover Lamb and to use the blood to mark the doorposts of their homes to protect them from the angel of death. They were to prepare and eat meals which were made easily and quickly in order to escape Egypt at a prompt and proper time. In fact, they were to “gird their loins,” that is cinch their robes for quick activity, just as the people who listen to Jesus’ preaching his parables.
The people of God were to put their faith in God’s oaths and God’s fidelity to promises as they awaited salvation from their enslavement in Egypt. They were to be vigilant for the Lord’s arrival just like the good steward in the Gospel. On the other hand, their Egyptian enemies were met with destruction and punishment for not heeding the warning to be prepared. They behaved as the steward in the Gospel who acted promiscuously and with blatant disregard for the warnings of the Lord. Even as they pursued the Israelites across the Red Sea, they were devastated for not considering the might of the God of Israel.
What’s most important about these stories according to Wisdom, is that the people were well-prepared for this special night because they were instructed ahead of time about what actions to take. The same applies to Christians today. God gives us every opportunity to be prepared for the return of Jesus. Things like attendance at Mass, the reception of the sacraments, dedication to the commandments of the Lord, and the proper treatment of all those whom we encounter.
We can be prepared for the arrival of Jesus just like the steward in the parables, the disciples who followed the Lord, and the people of Israel at the time of Passover. This is because Jesus, with instructions like we hear in the Gospel today, makes us well-prepared ahead of time about what actions to take.
As Jesus reminds us, “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.” (Lk. 12:39-40).
