“Being ready for the Lord is living our everyday lives.”

Luke 12:35-38

“See that you are dressed for action.” “Be like men waiting.” “Happy those whom the master finds awake whenever he comes…if he finds them ready.” Taken exactly at face value, the exhortation of this Gospel passage to be girded and ever prepared for immediate action sounds alarming. It may even create tension in the listener. Why? Because eternal vigilance sounds extremely exhausting, and maybe even impossible.
If, however, we think of being ready for the Lord as a natural outcome of living our everyday lives faithfully, authentically and purposefully, then suddenly, being alert and ready seems more doable. So, if you are a worker, work honestly. If a student, then study. When it’s time to rest, rest. Time to reconnect with friends, be truly present. During times of illness, unemployment or other struggles, strive to endure patiently, trustfully.
And if the Lord comes and happens to find us naturally at prayer – reading the Bible, attending Mass, meditating on the Rosary or other such ritual – then that’s just bonus points for us, icing on the already delicious cake.