Are We Really Ready?

I once again saw something I hadn’t noticed before in my gospel reading for this week. Funny how we can assume that we’ve seen all there is to see and then something different comes to light.

In Luke 12:35-48, Jesus has pulled the disciples aside from the massive crowd He’s just been teaching. He challenges them to be ready and “dressed for action” for what is coming, particularly when He, the Son of Man, is away. Well, He uses a parable but does speak specifically of Himself at the end. The master, on returning from a wedding banquet, knocking on the door and being let in by the servants and finding them alert, will serve them a meal. Jesus warns the disciples to be attentive, always waiting with anticipation, rather than falling asleep or not listening for the thieves that might come.

Peter, ever the inquisitive one, asks if that parable is for the disciples or everyone. I never noticed before that Jesus never really answers his question. The parable He uses is suddenly about the manager of slaves who is put in charge when the master is away. The manager has to feed them and keep up routines in his absence. When the master returns, if all is running smoothly, the manager will be given even more responsibility. But if the manager gets bored in waiting and starts to abuse the other slaves and starts partying, when the master comes home he will be ‘cut in pieces’ and receive a severe beating. Jesus’ sobering last words in the parable are “From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.’

These two parables have given me pause this week. First because I wonder about being ‘dressed for action’ in 2024. What does that look like? In Jesus’ day it was about hoisting up your robes so you could run or at least move quickly as needed. I’m choosy about when I wear a cross necklace and, as I’m not ordained, I don’t have a clerical collar or clergy shirts. I am always aware of what I’m wearing and where I will be. Always ready for action - ready to pray? ready to help someone? ready to see Jesus or the Spirit at work around me? ready to fight against injustice? This may look different for each of us depending on our context, gifts and call. It makes me think of superheroes in their capes ready to defend the vulnerable.

But then comes the second parable that seems to be directed squarely at Peter. It’s not for everyone but for the one overseeing the slaves. Jesus has made Peter His right hand guy. Jesus will soon die and the disciples will be left without Him for a few days (which they would know if they were paying attention). Peter becomes that manager keeping things running until Jesus’ return. I used to read this thinking only of the second Coming, but given where it falls in the narrative I’m starting to wonder if both times of Jesus leaving and returning are meant here.

I’m also very aware that many of us are the Peters in our churches. We’re the go to leader in this time of waiting for Jesus’ return. As years roll by with no big descending Jesus from the sky moment, we can start to lose our enthusiasm and drive. We can start to cut corners. We can start to lament, especially with the hits we’ve all taken since Covid which just sped up the decline already happening. We can feel sorry for ourselves as we try to keep encouraging the remaining faithful to be generous and excited. We can struggle to sense the Spirit’s leading and inspiration.

If Jesus were to show up at our door, at home or church, would it be a good time? Would we be found less than dedicated and even sloppy in our oversight of those in our care? Are we feeding them what they need when they need it (which, for Peter, ties in nicely to Jesus’ pep talk on the beach after the Resurrection and asking three times for him to feed his sheep)? Are we drunk on our accomplishments and status? Are we doing the work we’ve been given to do? These are sobering questions.

While I don’t believe that Jesus is going to cut me in half or beat me severely for not doing as much as He had hoped, I know that I have been given responsibility and I need to honour that and, if I’ve done well, be willing to take on even more. Where’s the celebration of how awesome I am? All I can look forward to is more work? How we frame what Jesus says here will make all the difference. As I keep hearing people say, we don’t HAVE to do it, we GET to do it. We are offered the privilege and all the wonderful benefits of being in ministry and serving other people. While it’s often thankless work, there is nothing like it and the opportunity to impact lives through Christ is amazing. And for when we’re not stellar at it, we see Jesus’ compassion in forgiving even Peter’s mistakes and fear and still keeping Him at the helm for the early church.

So, are you ready and dressed for action? My prayer is that if you don’t feel that you are, God will meet your need and that you will sense the presence of Christ even as you await His return, when He will serve you in thanks for your service, and He will tell you, well done good and faithful servant.