Delivered by Vici from the Parish of Saint John the Baptist in the Archdiocese of Jakarta, Indonesia. Romans 5: 12.15b.17-19.20b-21; Rs psalm 40: 7-8a.8b-9.10.17; Luke 12: 35-38.

THE WATCHFUL SERVANT

 Our meditation today is entitled: The WatchfulServant. There is a general assumption that gives more negative impression thanpositive on the relationship between master and servant or boss andsubordinate. We normally see no equal and harmonious relationship between thetwo. All that is obvious to us is fear, hidden plan, extreme caution, and evenhatred. However, there was a middle-class businessman once shared his point ofview which is the opposite. He is the boss of his company. He and hundreds ofhis employees experience with each other the mutual trust and respect.

There is joy, cooperation and mutual understandingbetween them. The presence of the boss among the employees is a blessing.Meanwhile, when the boss is absent for some times, all the employees will misshim. The boss, his wife and the entire family have been for them their fosterparents and family. One of the many fine attentions from this boss that all theemployees always remember is the solution given to each problem of everyemployee.  So the presence andintervention of the boss is highly anticipated.

These employees can be seen in the same picture withthe joyful servants, narrated in the parable of the Gospel of today, who arewatchful while awaiting for their master to come at an unexpected moment. Thisis a reflection on God's people, that is, all of us, as we await the coming ofthe Lord Jesus Christ. We are sinners, but we have joy and priviledge towelcome the Lord Jesus, our Savior. So as people of faith, we have confidenceand readiness to welcome the Lord’s coming that brings us salvation.

Saint Paul reminds us that sin entered the world whenAdam first fell into sin. As consequence, death also spreads to everyone. ButGod's love is far greater than sin and death. Where there is sin, there is evengreater mercy and love. Only one act of love of Jesus Christ, all mankindreceive the special gift of redeemtion and then obtain salvation. Faith leadsus to accept and make Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

Our acts of vigilance and welcoming the Lord actuallycan happen any place and any time. The watchful servants are those who arehappy with the opportunity to meet the Lord who comes to their lives at anygiven situation. That experience can be at the moment of prayer, when the wordof God is heard, during the receiving of the sacraments, at the time of renewaland spiritual guidance and of course when one’s own death comes. We are alwaysreminded not to loose all those opportunities because of our ignorance and unpreparedness.We just want to know that God pleases to come to us and we are happy to haveencounter with Him.

Let us pray. In the name of the Father... O God of all graces,thank You abundantly that we are justified by our faith in Jesus Christ. MayYour Spirit always teach us in all Your truth. Hail Mary, full of grace... Inthe name of the Father...