Tuesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
When I was a child, whenever the phone or the doorbell rang, it immediately initiated a race between my brothers and me to see who could be there first to answer it. When we became teenagers, we showed a lot less interest in it, and would often yell at one another: “You, go answer it,” “No, you!”
Jesus asks us to vigilant and be like servants who are ready to open when the master returns. Vigilance is difficult because it inevitably involves perseverance, and we do not know how long we will have to wait. Jesus encourages us to be vigilant, but also be ready to act.
Why don’t we act? Why are so many people good, well-intended, but not ready to move to action when prompted? This type of readiness or vigilance requires prayer and some people do not pray regularly. We might think of it as a friend who invites us to run a 5K race. If we have been remaining healthy and fit, it should not be too difficult, but if we have neglected our physical health, it’s probably an unrealistic goal. Prayer trains us to act.
We also don’t act when God is asking us to because of false beliefs. If I believe God is merely a judge or taskmaster, and not a loving father, I’m hesitant to act out of fear of disappointment. If I do not know myself to be loved or have a poor perception of myself, I am likewise to hesitate and avoid responsibilities.
Prayer can help us be vigilant, but confidence in God’s love helps us to be ready to act when prompted. Let not fear of failure, making a mistake, or the false belief that ‘I have to be perfect’ prevent us from acting on the inspirations of the Holy Spirit. Rather, let’s be “ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.”
Reflection by Fr. Paul Sheller, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections