Stay Awake

Where We Are

Thursday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time. The evangelist Matthew moves from Jesus's woes against the Pharisees to his great eschatological discourse in chapters 24-25. Today's passage begins the series of parables about vigilance: the faithful servant who is ready when the master returns versus the wicked servant who abuses his authority in the master's absence. The contrast is stark and urgent. Paul opens his first letter to the Corinthians with thanksgiving for a community rich in every gift.

The Word

"Be vigilant. For you do not know at what hour your Lord will return" (Matthew 24:42). Jesus contrasts two servants: one who is faithful and prudent, giving food to the household at the proper time; and one who says, "My Lord is delayed," and begins to beat his fellow servants and drink with drunkards. When the master returns unexpectedly, the faithful servant is blessed and set over all his possessions. The wicked servant is cut to pieces. The parable does not ask whether the master will return, only when. And the answer, always, is: sooner than you think. Readiness is not a moment but a way of life.

Today's Full Readings

First Reading — 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Responsorial Psalm — Psalm 145:2-3, 4-5, 6-7

Gospel — Matthew 24:42-51

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Reflect

The theme of vigilance runs through the final chapters of Matthew's Gospel. Jesus is preparing his disciples for the time between his departure and his return. The danger is not outright rebellion but complacency. The wicked servant does not deny his master; he simply assumes the master is delayed and acts accordingly.

This is the most common spiritual danger for Christians today. We do not reject Christ; we simply assume he is not coming soon, so we relax our standards. We stop praying with urgency. We stop serving with dedication. We start treating people badly because we think no one is watching.

The faithful servant is described as "prudent" and diligent in giving food at the proper time. This is an image of pastoral responsibility: feeding God's people with truth, love, and the sacraments. Leadership in the Church is not about power; it is about nourishment.

Paul's gratitude for the Corinthian community, enriched "in every word and in every knowledge," provides the positive vision. A community where the gifts are active and the Word is proclaimed is a community that is awake, alert, and ready.

"You do not know the hour" is simultaneously sobering and freeing. Sobering because it demands constant readiness. Freeing because it releases us from prediction and speculation. We do not need to know when; we need to be ready now.

Living It

Live today as if Christ could return tonight. This is not anxiety; it is attentiveness. Are there things you would want to change before you see him face to face? Change them now. Do not wait for tomorrow to do what love demands today.

Are you a faithful servant or a complacent one? In whatever sphere of influence you have, are you feeding people or exploiting them? The master will return, and the question will be simple: what did you do with what was entrusted to you?

Practice one act of vigilance: pray today with the urgency of someone who believes Christ is close. He is closer than you think. Let that closeness shape your choices, your words, and your priorities.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you are coming, and we do not know the hour. Keep us awake. Keep us faithful. When we are tempted by complacency, remind us that the master could return at any moment. May we be found giving food at the proper time, serving with love, and living in readiness for your face. Amen.

Today's reflection draws from Matthew 24:42-51 and 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 (CPDV), per the Ordo Lectionum Missae.