Today is the commemoration of the Venerable Bede, theologian and historian.
Today's readings are Psalm 116.12-19, Leviticus 23.23-44, and Luke 12.35-53.
In our reading from Luke we are called to remain prepared for action. Our master, Jesus Christ, who has ascended to heaven yet has promised to be with us always, will come at a time we do not know. We are commanded to be vigilant, watching for him. This passage has often been used to scare people into attentiveness. Yet what do we see of the context of the passage? What happens when our Lord comes and finds us vigilant? He will act as our servant, making us recline at table while he serves us. He will throw a party and treat us to every good thing. There's our motivator. We're not to be motivated by fear. Rather, motivated by the love of God in Christ we look to his return.
As we are watching, as we are being vigilant, what do we do? We engage ourselves in the work that our Lord has placed before us. We busy ourselves about loving the Lord with all our heart, mind, and strength. We busy ourselves about loving our neighbor as ourselves. This is our calling. This is what we render to our Lord, as we read in the Psalm today. This is the offering that we give, doing what our Lord has given us to do as we wait for him.
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