Today's Gospel in Art - If we had known what hour the burglar would come

Burglar's scene, Ocean's 12, 2004 © Warner Bros

Gospel of 23rd October 2019 - Luke 12: 39-48

Jesus said to his disciples:

'You may be quite sure of this, that if the householder had known at what hour the burglar would come, he would not have let anyone break through the wall of his house. You too must stand ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.'

Peter said, 'Lord, do you mean this parable for us, or for everyone?' The Lord replied, 'What sort of steward, then, is faithful and wise enough for the master to place him over his household to give them their allowance of food at the proper time? Happy that servant if his master's arrival finds him at this employment. I tell you truly, he will place him over everything he owns. But as for the servant who says to himself, "My master is taking his time coming," and sets about beating the menservants and the maids, and eating and drinking and getting drunk, his master will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not know. The master will cut him off and send him to the same fate as the unfaithful.

The servant who knows what his master wants, but has not even started to carry out those wishes, will receive very many strokes of the lash. The one who did not know, but deserves to be beaten for what he has done, will receive fewer strokes. When a man has had a great deal given him, a great deal will be demanded of him; when a man has had a great deal given him on trust, even more will be expected of him.'

Reflection on the Film Still

Today's Gospel reading tells us to be alert, awake, vigilant, ready. With the start of each day, a new opportunity is given to us, to live our lives as meaningfully and fully as possible. The parallel Jesus draws with a robbery is a good one. A robbery would catch us by surprise and then really disturb us massively. We would blame ourselves for not having paid attention or not having been vigilant protecting our house. In that sense today's reading is a direct call to responsibility. If we believe and know what is expected of us, but we fall short (by being unkind, lazy, unjust, cold, etc…), then we will be held to greater account. To read on see: www.christianart.today/daily-gospel-reading/212