In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

It seems to me that we human beings don’t necessarily pay such good attention as we pass through our lives, mostly because we are so distracted by ourselves, and by all these small, daily concerns that preoccupy us. However, it’s important for us to pay attention, because the Lord is telling us that we have to be looking for the Lord at all times, and be prepared for Him to come at any time, and anywhere. The Gospel concludes by saying that the Lord is coming back at a time when we are not expecting Him or thinking about Him, because we are distracted by something or another.

What is the importance here? The importance is to be prepared. How are we going to be prepared if our minds are not constantly focused on the Lord, doing His will, and communicating with Him? The servants of the house that the Lord is talking about are servants that love their Master, and they are ready to do everything for Him, to be pleasing to Him. As soon as He knocks on the door, the door immediately opens, and He doesn’t have to wait. Those servants are just waiting and prepared because of love and respect for the Master. What does this Master do when He comes to the house? It’s not what normally would happen. He doesn’t sit down, and all the servants that have been waiting for Him are giving Him to eat. No. According to the Lord, this Master is going to wrap a towel around His waist (to gird Himself, the Gospel says), and He is going to serve the servants, and feed them, when He comes home from the wedding.

The Orthodox Christian way is sort of upside down compared to what the world is understanding. This is the Orthodox Christian way – service. The Saviour is our pattern. It is He we are supposed to be imitating. Service is the way. We are looking for how to serve. The Master, Himself, is serving the servants. It’s not at all what we expect. However, look again at what the Apostle is saying to the Ephesians about what is the disposition of the Saviour, Himself, who is our example. He was, is, and always shall be completely obedient out of love to the will of the Father. The Apostle is not talking about how the Saviour, Himself, rose from the dead by Himself, and so forth, and how He exalted Himself. No. It was the Father who raised Christ from the dead, he says. It is the Father who exalted Him, and who does exalt Him. It’s the Father who made Him the Head of the Body of Christ of which we are members. The Son, Himself, shows the true nature of humility as being the product of love; it is the living out of love, selfless love.

I hope all of us can remember these words, and the example of the Saviour. This is really what it means to live an Orthodox Christian life: to imitate Jesus Christ, to be like Him, to love like Him, to serve like Him, to shine with the light of love like Him. Let’s ask Him to renew this love, this purpose, this sense of direction, this communion of love in our hearts, so that at whatever time He does come to us (not only in the Second Coming, but anytime He comes to us), we will be ready to open the door to Him, and we will not make Him wait. Instead, we will welcome Him instantly with open heart, and open arms, and so in our whole life glorify Him, together with His Father, who is from everlasting, and His all-holy, good, and life-giving Spirit, now, and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

† Archdiocese of Canada - Orthodox Church in America