Luke 12:35-40
“Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves. But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.”
There is an urgency to Jesus’ words that is palpable. Though he employs several metaphors – first a returning master, then an owner unprepared for a break-in – Jesus offers a consistent message: you never quite know when the Son of Man will come – therefore, we should always be on the alert, looking for our Lord’s appearance.
When we hear this passage today, many of us assume that Jesus is talking about his return at the end of time, what is sometimes referred to as the “second coming.” And perhaps he is. But also consider this: throughout Luke’s gospel, Jesus’ focus has been on the poor and God’s intent and promise to come and care for them. It started with Mary’s song that God will come to up-end social order, elevating the downtrodden and sending the rich away empty. It continued with Jesus’ first sermon about proclaiming the release of captives and good news for the poor. It was enacted and embodied in Jesus’ own ministry to care for all those in need. And it’s been taught again and again throughout his parables.
So what is it, then, that we are to watch for? Jesus’ return at the end of time, or Jesus’ appearance in the face of someone in need. No doubt the answer is both. But in reading Luke’s gospel together over the past year, I’ve increasingly wondered how we can possibly expect to be prepared for the first – Jesus return at some future time – if we are not already looking for and welcoming him in the second – the very real need of those around us right now.
Prayer: Dear God, open our eyes to see you in the need of those around us so that in caring for them we are obeying your commands and welcoming you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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