Wednesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
(Romans 6:12-18; Luke 12:39-48)
Especially in Luke’s gospel, Jesus enjoys teaching in
parables. Today’s passage contains two
rather surprising ones. The first compares
Jesus, the Son of Man, to a crook who comes in the middle of the night! The house breaking is a metaphor for Jesus’
return at the end of time. Christians
must be prepared to let him take them away to Paradise.
Jesus’ second parable obliquely answers Peter’s question
about for whom the first parable was intended.
He says that although it was intended for all, it has a particularly
urgent message for his closest disciples comprising leadership in the Church. If they faithfully attend to the Eucharist, the
“food allowance” that extends to all Church duties, they will be surprised to
have the Lord himself serve them in heaven.
But if they neglect their responsibilities as Church leaders, they will
be severely punished.
Preparation for the Lord goes beyond daily prayers. We must keep his commandments and imitate his
virtue. Doing thus, we can live in
joyful expectation of meeting the Lord face to face.
