Be Vigilant, Be Prepared, Be Watchful
In today’s Gospel, Jesus’ words resound with clarity: “Be vigilant, be prepared, be watchful.” Though we often hear these calls during Advent and Lent, they are not meant for a season—they are meant for every day. Our pastor reminded us that this vigilance is an ongoing way of life for every disciple, not an occasional burst of holiness when the calendar calls for it.
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”
Luke 12:34
Socrates once said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” In the same way, Jesus’ parable of the faithful and unfaithful servants is not just a story to admire from a distance—it is a mirror held up to each of us. Which servant am I? If the Master came today, what would He find in my heart? Faithfulness or negligence? Love or self-interest? Readiness or distraction?
The faithful servant is more than someone who believes—he or she is someone who lives that belief daily. That life is marked by:
Serving others with humility – not for recognition, not for influence, but because we see Christ in the people we serve. Humility strips away ego and teaches us to love without expecting a return.
Forgiving generously – letting go of the grudges that weigh down our soul. Forgiveness is not weakness; it is the courage to release the poison before it hardens our hearts.
Living with integrity – being honest and consistent in both the big and small things. Integrity means our private life matches our public life, and our words align with our actions.
Seeking God in prayer – making time to listen to Him, to be shaped by His presence, and to allow His Word to guide our choices.
Jesus also warns us against the lure of fleeting pleasures and the illusion of control. How easy it is to think we are secure because of what we own, what we know, or the positions we hold. Yet all these pass away. Status shifts. Possessions fade. Plans crumble. Only God’s love endures.
That is why Jesus reminds us: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Luke 12:34). Our ultimate treasure is not found in titles, influence, or possessions—it is found in who we are becoming in Christ.
This is especially relevant in times when our communities face tensions, misunderstandings, or power struggles. These moments test where our treasure truly lies. Do we cling to pride, self-preservation, and control—or do we choose humility, unity, and trust in God’s timing?
The vigilant disciple chooses the eternal over the temporary, the Kingdom over personal gain, and Christ’s way over self-interest. May we live each day as though the Master were coming today—ready, faithful, and anchored in the eternal treasure of His love.
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus,
You call us to be vigilant, prepared, and watchful—not out of fear, but out of love for You. Teach us to serve with humility, to forgive without limit, to live with integrity, and to seek You always in prayer. Guard our hearts from the fleeting promises of this world and the illusion of control, and anchor us instead in the treasure of Your love.
In moments of tension or division, please help us to choose unity over pride, patience over haste, and charity over judgment. Make us faithful servants whose lives reflect Your mercy and truth. And when You return, may You find us ready, joyful, steadfast, and eager to enter into Your glory.
Amen.