You Better Watch Out!

by Brandon Jubar

Jesus said to his disciples:

"Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. It is like a man traveling abroad. He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his own work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch. Watch, therefore; you do not know when the lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning. May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to all: "Watch!" (Mark 13:33-37)

Are you being a faithful servant by answering your Baptismal call?

The analogy that Jesus uses is an excellent one, for like the man who turns his home over to his servants, so to has God left His world in our hands. Of course, that means that we are His servants, doesn't it?

At our Baptism, we were anointed "priest, prophet and king," in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (CCC 1546) What many Catholics don't understand is that by our Baptism we are commissioned -- empowered and authorized by God -- to go out and spread the Good News to the world. We are called to be the light of Christ for the world.

Wow. That sounds pretty overwhelming, doesn't it? But it's not! At a very basic level, it means that we need to live our lives the way Christ asked us to. Love God above all else and love your neighbor as you love yourself. The way we live our lives will show that we are Christians.

It may not always be easy -- but it certainly is simple.

If you were prosecuted for being a Christian, is there enough evidence to convict you?

Simple is not necessarily easy. If you want an "A" in a class, just do an excellent job on all of your homework and ace every test. Simple! It's not easy, though. In fact, it's difficult -- and we have a tendency to put-off the difficult things.

Just like getting an "A" in a class, being Christ-like is often simple but not easy. How often are we selfish, self-centered, and uncaring towards the needs of our family and friends? How many times do we lash out in anger, or make a snotty remark to our parents? How many weeks go by where we find time to watch TV and play video games, but can't seem to make it to church for an hour on Sunday?

If you were prosecuted for being a Christian, could they find enough evidence to convict you? That day will come, and we'll be hoping to receive an "afterlife" sentence. But since none of us knows when that day will actually be, I think we better start piling up the evidence now!

How can you be watchful, so that the Lord won't catch you "sleeping on the job"?

The thousand-mile journey begins with a single step. So the first thing we should do is give thanks and praise to God. And what's the easiest way to do that? Go to church -- and participate! Don't just sit, stand, and mumble. Pay attention! Listen to the readings. Think about the homily. Hear the meaning of the prayers and responses as you speak them. And sing! Sing loudly! Sing like you mean it, and let the people around you hear how much you love God.

Then turn your attention to others. Really try to love those around you. Reach out and help them. And tell people how you feel. When you open up and share of yourself -- your thoughts and feelings -- what you are really saying is "I love you and I trust you".

And finally, love yourself. At times, this can be the most difficult step of all. I'm not talking about a conceited, self-important love, either. I'm talking about recognizing the fact that, in spite of all your faults and failings, you are very good. God made you that way. He loves you very much, and you should do the same.

Someday, the master of the house will return. We can't wait until the last minute, because we don't know when that minute is. So be watchful -- and be ready!

Life Applications:

What are some ways that you honor God through your actions?
How do you express kindness and caring to family and friends?
What are some good qualities that you see in yourself?

Copyright 2004 by Brandon Jubar
All rights reserved.