Gospel Reflections for August 7 2016
Surprise return!
How would you feel if you suddenly realized that Our Lord was coming for you right now? Nervous? Anxious? Surprised?
Is there anything you would do different now if you knew?
The Gospel presents this kind of scene in the parable of the Master and his Servant, with a clear warning for us to be vigilant and ready.
However, there is another way of looking at this Gospel scene and in a way that is faithful to its important message. It came to me in a dramatic night at the rectory.
I remember years ago when I was newly ordained I was alone in the rectory. Late at night, I was awakened by a noise at the other end of the Rectory. The parish was in a rough part of town, unfortunately, and night-time break-ins were not uncommon. This looked like one of those nights.
Like the Gospel advises, I was alert and ready …with my trusted baseball bat! I heard footsteps coming down the hallway. As the footsteps approached I positioned myself behind an interior hallway door. My heart was racing and I could barely breathe I was so nervous, but still ready and determined to defend our home.
The door opened, only to reveal the face of the pastor coming home early ! What a relief! We had a good laugh at the whole scene.
If we understand the coming of Our Lord as the return of a friend, then we are enormously relieved, and even profoundly grateful, and certainly not frightened at all.
Of course, that means we should use our time well now to deepen and strengthen our friendship with our Lord! He should not be a stranger to us when He returns. Every Sunday is an opportunity to do just that.
Listen to how Our Lord presents Himself in the scriptures and in the Eucharist at Mass …as a friend always with our best interests at heart. Just before we receive Him in the Eucharist Our Lord affirms, “Peace I leave you, my peace I give to you.” We have no reason to be afraid at all.
We have so many other ways to deepen our friendship as well. Read the catechism, read the scriptures every day, listen to Immaculate Heart Radio, pray the rosary, go to a bible study, or start a conversation with your family about our faith. All these ways help.
If Our Lord comes tomorrow, or a hundred years from now, we look forward to reuniting with our old friend, and so we are at peace.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Image used with permission under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic License.
rosemary Circo says
Dear Fr. Dave,
Thank you immensely for your personal connection with our Gospel reading for this weekend.
I am “enlightened” and feeling excited to experience mass tomorrow morning at my parish with my Catholic ears focused and at a “ready” for more Good News thanks to your reminder.
Sincerely,
Rose Circo-one of your happy Saint Bruno teachers 🙂
Father Dave says
Thank you so much for your response!
Andrea Miciano says
Fr. Dave,
I like the graphic that you chose to illustrate this reflection! So many angels accompanying the Son of Man upon his momentous return….who wouldn’t be taken aback with surprise by such an event?! We must always be ready. Thank you!
Father Dave says
We look forward always to meeting Our Lord. We have no better friend in the world.
Wes Stupar says
Thanks for the excellent advice. Our Cursillo Group decided to read the Catechism of the Catholic Church as our meeting exercise. We started at the very beginning. We have been doing this for about 18 months now. We are about half way through. I am very impressed by the wisdom and literary excellence of the document.
Of course, as you say, the Eucharist is the way to stay in touch with our Lord.
Father Dave says
What a wise decision to read the Catechism. I am sure many good insights will flow from this!
Kathy Herbert says
First off, I’m very happy to read that you didn’t take a swing at the Pastor.
Secondly, you really do connect faith to real life, Father.
I will not soon forget your modern-day parable.
Father Dave says
I don’t think my pastor at that time forgot the lesson either!
Rebecca McCann says
Thank you for that modern day parable. It is of great help. You gave us the answer to read read read. That way we can know God and know his ways it will draw us closer and nothing to fear, Thanks for a great reflection.
Father Dave says
You are welcome!
Martha Miller says
Fr Dave,
How can I ever really be ready to meet the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Word made flesh, my personal Savior, the Creator?- could I ever be prepared? Not if I live as long as Mathusalem..
On the other side, I find myself asking Jesus to come almost daily! What can i do differently? Probably lots of things! Do you think Jesus will just accept that I am doing as best as I can but need Him and His Grace to be truly ready? That’s my prayer!
Father Dave says
Yes, of course he sees and rejoices in your attitude. You have nothing to worry about.
Philomena Gatto says
Loved your story on being “prepared”
We’re only human and so are a bit apprehensive of the unknown,
but Jesus has assured us with His words.
“Let not your hearts be troubled or afraid”….With these consoling words we envision Jesus
in all His glory coming to greet us.
In God”s good time, if we have done His will, lived in union with Him and trusted in His mercy what do
we have to be afraid of?.
Father Dave says
Well said!
Franca Dornan says
Love your lovely commentary!!! What a miracle moment in time when our Jesus comes to us!!!I would love to offer Him the best wine and celebrate the beauty of who he Is!!God’s son of love!!Mary’s irresistible son of love!!!Our Saviour of love!!!!The most beautiful gift I could give our Jesus is my life to be one of giving love to my family and others!!!! I can do that and I will because I loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee our Jesus of LOVE!!! To live His love is a joy!!!!!
With much love ,
Franca and dick
Father Dave says
Thank you, Franca!
Carol Stubbs says
Such a simple analogy to emphasis such a profound lesson as we navigate our spiritual journey back into HIS Arms.
Thank you Fr. Dave…
Father Dave says
You are very welcome!
Margaret santangelo says
Wow! Loved the story. It made me laugh! Your reflection has reached me just in time! I try to be vigilant and ready and today I’ve been in a very foul mood. Thankyou for the reminder to be ready.
Blessings
Margaret
Father Dave says
You can safely put the bat down.
Eliza Novak-Checansky says
Thank you for sharing your experience, Fr. Dave. Just at that precarious moment, God was walking with you and saw you through your fear. When Rick had his heart attack, I had been up all night waiting and praying. I got a few hours of sleep before returning to the hospital in the morning. He was undergoing more testing when I arrived so I took advantage of a nap for a moment. In my delirious state, it seemed an angel appeared to me in the form of a nurse. She told me everything was going to be alright and that Jesus had me in His hands. Our Lord walks with us even in our darkest times.
Father Dave says
Beautiful story!