Today’s Scripture readings continue our theme from last week of keeping our eyes and hearts set on heaven. The first reading tells how the Jewish people in Egypt were prepared for their Exodus. They were to eat their Passover as those ready to leave their homes in Egypt and allow God to deliver them: “This is how you are to eat it: with your loins girt, sandals on your feet and your staff in hand, you will eat it in a hurry” (Exodus 12:11).
Jesus gives us similar instruction in today’s Gospel: “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” (Luke 12:35-36). So, how are we to carry this out? How can we spiritually “gird our loins” and “light our lamps?” How can we be prepared for Christ to deliver us?
Girding our loins means being ready and prepared to follow Christ in every way possible. To the people of the first Passover, girding your loins meant protecting yourself for traveling through rugged territory, running a race, or even for a battle. Are we ready for any of these spiritual circumstances in our journey with the Lord, even a battle against evil?
St. Paul tells us to put on “the armor of God” in preparation for spiritual battles: “stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:10-17).
Also, we are called to be like the wise virgins who brought enough oil to keep their lamps lit while they waited for the bridegroom (Matthew 25:1-13). The oil lamps represent faith. We must keep the lamp of our faith lit to be ready for heaven. Jesus is “the light of the world” (John 8:12). Therefore, staying close to Him in prayer, the sacraments, scripture, and with works of charity keeps the fire of our faith burning brightly.
We, like the Hebrew people, know that we must make our own “exodus” from this world someday. We “desire a better homeland, a heavenly one,” and we have confidence that God has prepared a place for us to live with Him in heaven (Hebrews 11: 16). One key difference between ourselves and the Jewish people was that they knew beforehand when the night of the Passover would come (Wis 18:6). Conversely, we do not know when Christ will come or call us home: “You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come” (Luke 12:40).
“Stay awake and be ready. For you do not know on what day your Lord will come” (Matthew 24:42)
Jesus, please give me the spiritual gifts of fortitude and faith that I might keep my loins girt and my lamp lit so that I am prepared for Your coming.
Readings for the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
WISDOM 18:6-9
PSALM 33:1-22
HEBREWS 11:1-2, 8-19
LUKE 12:32-48