Do we wait with patience and love or with anxiety?
On this 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time we are invited to reflect on the
importance of staying alert and prepared. Today’s Gospel tells a parable about
servants eagerly awaiting their master’s return from a wedding feast. The core
message of the parable emphasizes the uncertainty of when the master will
return. Jesus encourages us to be dressed for action and keep our lamps
burning bright, so we can respond quickly when our master arrives.
We are all familiar with the experience of waiting, whether for a phone call, a
message, or divine guidance. We often expect quick responses when we reach
out, but God’s communication can come at times we don’t expect. The frustration
of unanswered prayers or seeming silence can cause doubt and confusion.
However, this often happens because we are unaware of how and when God is
reaching out to us. Just as we might ignore calls from loved ones, we can also
miss God’s calls, especially when they come at inconvenient times or when we
are preoccupied with our own concerns. Jesus asks us to be ready “for at an
hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” This reminder to stay alert
highlights the importance of having a faithful and attentive heart, always
prepared to respond. By living with an awareness of God’s presence, we can
deepen our relationship, strengthened by our willingness to listen and answer His
call.
This week, the Church joyfully celebrates the Solemnity of the Assumption of
the Blessed Virgin Mary. Let us take a moment to find inspiration in our Blessed
Mother Mary’s example of humility and willingness. Her sincere words, “My soul
proclaims the greatness of the Lord,” reflect a heart in union with divine will.
Through her, we learn how to respond to God’s call, serving as a shining
example of patience and love in our own lives. In our devotion to Our Blessed
Mother Mary, we seek her intercession to help us listen more attentively to God’s
voice. Let us echo her sentiments and commit ourselves to proclaiming the
greatness of the Lord in our daily lives.
Dear brothers and sisters, as we reflect on this Sunday’s readings and the
upcoming feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, let us be inspired
to light our lamps and prepare for action. With Jesus as our Savior and our
Blessed Mother Mary as our guiding star, we can embrace our roles as faithful
servants, always alert and prepared to respond to God’s will. Clinging to the
hope of eternal life and the joy of being with the Blessed Mother in heaven, let us
keep our hearts hopeful and eager for what is to come.Rev. Dominic Toan Tran, Pastor