Jesus comes to us in many ways every day

 
Reading: You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Luke 12:40.
 
Good morning, happy Wednesday, and many blessings my dear family.
 
In today’s Gospel (Luke 12:39-448) Jesus tells his disciples: “Be sure of this: if the master of the hour had known when the thief would come, he would have not let his house be broken into.”  Jesus then instructs his disciples always to be prepared for the coming of the Son of Man.  He will come at an unexpected time!  There will not be an announcement of his arrival.  He simply will appear when he wishes.
 
The Son of Man comes at an unexpected hour, but how do we see the Son of Man? Thief or friend? The Lord who asks us to wait and be ready is the friend who comes at night, not the thief that breaks in and steals. We pray to be alert and ready for the Lord who desires to come to us, who desires to serve us in love.

Attention can get lost in a time of waiting. Delay can lead to frustration and loss of focus. Cooperation can give way to competition. Time can be used in an irresponsible way. We wait together and we are asked to be responsible. Lord, you have given much to us and we pray that we may have grateful hearts that help us grow in appreciation of you and of those who wait with us.
 
Once again, Jesus insists on vigilance be prepared, do not let your attention wander so that when the master comes you are ready to welcome him. In fact we are told that the Son of Man will come at an hour we do not expect. We prefer something totally predictable, which we can control, but we know that the Lord comes to us very often unexpectedly, thorough events and through the others. Today I pray for knowing how to be open to the presence of the Lord who comes.
 
The question is: Will we be ready when the Son of Man comes to us?  Jesus comes to us in many ways every day.  He is at our side when we are struggling or in pain (be that physical or emotional pain).  He also is with us when life is good and peaceful.  He is present to us as we go about our humdrum day.  However, we have to be awake and alert to His presence.  If we are not looking for his presence, we may miss His quiet, peaceful and loving presence.  
 
Pause for a moment and ask yourself: Do you strive to be awake and alert to the myriad ways Jesus may appear to you today?  It may be during your prayer time.  Perhaps you experience his presence when you receive a phone call from a friend you have not heard from recently.  Or it may be when you are enjoying time with your family. Most likely, Jesus will appear to us in quiet and subtle ways. Perhaps today Jesus arrives as a beggar, hungry or that person that I always despise. Be careful, Jesus may come to challenge your commitment to share compassion and liberation for those who need it.
 
Strive to be awake and alert today. Jesus will come to us.  The question is: will we be awake enough to notice his presence?
 
Blessings,
 
Fr. Luis+