Eucharistic Gospel Reading for Sunday of Proper 14: Year C
“You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Luke 12:40)
Ok, here is the challenge. When is it that we expect the coming of the Lord? Being ready is not about preparing for the big day. It is about living everyday as if this day, is the day.
If Jesus comes to you next Saturday and ask you when was the last time you prayed what would your answer be? Would it be “this morning?” Would it be “last night?” Would it be last Sunday in Church?” Would it be the last Sunday that you attended a Sunday Service?” And could your response be, “Lord, I don’t know?” No, what we really don’t know is when Jesus will come, and when he does, if He will ask such a question.
Bishop’s visits are announced. We know the day he is coming, and there is a certain amount of preparation to take place for that event. But what if Bishop’s visits were unannounced? It would kind of go like this; “Oh MY God. Look y’all, the Bishop is in the parking lot and coming to our Church today! What are we going to do?” In my days as Rector here I would have told you exactly what we were going to do. We are going to have Church and the Bishop is going to lead and celebrate and I don’t have to worry about whether or not my sermon works because he is now going to preach. Halleluiah!
This day and age we can read about events on social media almost as soon as it happens because phones are active, perhaps even active right now in the pews. But active phones in the pews won’t relate to you the presence of Jesus should Jesus decide to be at our Church on any given Sunday; you know, just kind of checking things out, to see whose regular and not just coming when they think he will be here.
Of course I can hear it now; “Man, if I knew Jesus was going to be at our parish I would have been there.” Or, “Wow, if I knew Jesus was going to just pop in and ask me the last time I prayed, I would have been praying when he appeared.” Jesus knows that’s what we would say. But that’s not what Jesus is looking for. Jesus is not looking for you getting ready; Jesus is looking for you being ready. Jesus is not looking for how you want to live your life; Jesus is looking for how you are living your life.
Today’s message is not about tomorrow. It is about right now. It is about looking for Jesus now. It is about expecting Jesus in our life right now, this moment. The last thing you want to be texted to you from the pews if you are not in Church is, “Jesus came to our Church today and is promising all of us who are here today that we will be with him in paradise. Sorry you weren’t here. Love you, bye.” Let’s go the Church because it’s Sunday because that’s what we Christians do, every Sunday. This is how we are found always ready. Let us always pray and attend as much as possible. Halleluiah!
As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
Let us pray: (BCP p. 232)
Grant to us, Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always those things that are right, that we, who cannot exist without you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Preface of the Lord’s Day
onewhoponders 