Jesus tells us in the Gospel reading from Luke 12 today that we should not be afraid because it is God’s good pleasure to give us the kingdom. How reassuring! Where our treasure is, so there will our hearts be found. We must be dressed for action, with lamps lit, awaiting the master’s return. The Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour. While it is God’s good pleasure, this story implies we must participate in order to receive.

The presider at mass talked about passive and active action.  He likened waiting to an earthquake preparation kit. When you open the kit you think you have everything you need, but  upon closer inspection you discover that the water has evaporated and the cookies are mouldy. You are not as ready as you thought. We cannot be passively waiting for the Master’s return. We must be prepared.

I thought about this in light of my circumstances. Is my kit ready? Am I prepared to meet my Master? I may not yet be completely ready but I suspect I am not too far off the mark. I believe in a merciful God which colours my thinking about what, in my mind, will happen when I die. I am far from perfect. I know this to be true. I love God with all of my heart. I also know this to be a fact. I believe that God knows my heart. God knows exactly where I believe my treasure to be. I am not passively waiting for the arrival of the Kingdom. I believe that God would be pleased to offer me entrance to the Kingdom when the time comes. I do not think this is an arrogant or misinformed understanding. I humbly believe that my God will not abandon me in my hour of need. My faith has taught me to cling to the hope of heading Home one day. The Second Reading from Hebrews 11 reminds me that faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Following in the footsteps of that great cloud of witnesses that had gone before me, I am hoping that my kit is ready when this world crumbles to a halt for me.

Peace,

Suzanne

Reflection Questions

Do you believe it is God’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom?

How ready is your kit?

Prayer

Creator God, thank you for taking pleasure in blessing me beyond my wildest dreams. Help me to pack a kit that will provide me with what I need and to keep it updated as I wait. Amen.