I have been listening to interviews of the professional basketball players who are preparing for tournament games. They sound like warriors talking about how they stay motivated, how they work hard every day to prepare for upcoming games, how they spur one another to do their best. They are submitting themselves to vigorous preparation because they want to win an earthly crown.
As for us, we are those who press the button on our remotes and watch these “warriors” in action. Watching warriors fight in the arena or on the playing fields has become a favorite form of entertainment. “They” are the warriors, and we are the “watchers.”
Sadly, this same scenario has found its way into our churches. The priests and his assistants do the work while we sit back and watch them. What we forget is that we are supposed to be the “warriors” not the “watchers.” Our part is as essential as that of the priest. Who has lulled us into being content with watching instead of engaging in God’s work?
Jesus gives us a serious pep talk today (Luke 12:35-38).
“Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.”
There was nothing more important for servants than being ready and being prompt when their master returned at an unexpected hour from a wedding feast. Even if he returned at three o’clock in the morning, they were expected to open the door as soon as they knocked. Even though it was bedtime, they were to remain fully dressed and keep their lights on. As long as their master was away they needed to forget about their pajamas and going to sleep. This was not easy for servants who had worked hard all day and were ready for bed. Because nothing was more important to them than pleasing the master, they were willing to stay ready no matter how difficult it was.
Jesus talked about the reward for diligent servants.
“Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them.”
What a surprise for those vigilant servants! Using a surprising image, Jesus said the Master (Jesus, himself) would trade places with them. He would have them sit at table and begin to serve them a meal. It was unheard of that a master would take on such a lowly role, as to be a servant to his servants. Yet this is the reward for those who stay faithful and ready till the time of Jesus’ return.
As a valiant warrior is always prepared for a surprise attack, and as faithful servants are always expecting their master’s return, so each of us is called to live each moment as though Jesus might return today. Each of us is called to fight the good fight of faith each day and not give up.
Today we celebrate the feast day of one of the great “warriors” of our time, St. Pope John Paul II. In all circumstances he went forth as a valiant warrior, championing the cause of the gospel and the holiness of life. His example and ministry brought new vigor and new hope to the Church.
He did this not to impress us or win our applause but to challenge each of us to be the kind of warrior he was. It is not for us just to sit back and cheer, but to “gird our loins” and “light our lamps” each day and go forth against the enemy carrying the banner of Jesus to the world.
Is not the time to retire our “remotes,” pick up our rosaries and our Bibles, invest fervently in each Mass we attend, and be God’s warriors in this age of unsurpassed spiritual battle. We no longer have the luxury of being mere “watchers.”
St John Paul II, pray that we warriors for God’s Kingdom on earth.
