We tend to put things off when we think there’s still time. For many of us, our human nature is to procrastinate. In the simple things, and in the not-so-simple things. Those more challenging things we put off? We delay apologies, delay forgiveness, delay the changes we know we need to make. Why? Because we assume tomorrow will look a lot like today. We assume there will always be more time.

But Jesus won’t let us get too comfortable with that illusion. Today’s Gospel is a clear invitation from the Lord. He encourages us to be like the servants who expectantly wait for their master’s return and are prepared.

This isn’t just about the end times or final judgment. It’s about today. It’s about how we live when we know we’re accountable to someone greater than ourselves.

Jesus describes two kinds of servants. The first is watchful. Not anxious, not obsessive – just faithful. They keep their house in order, the lamps burning, the door unlocked. Why? Because the Master is important to them, they want to be prepared for when he returns.

The second servant gets lazy. It’s as if they almost delight in the master’s delay. And with that attitude, it’s no surprise when this servant slips into selfishness, cruelty, and neglect. But, even with that, the real problem here isn’t their behavior…it’s forgetting who they serve.

Jesus makes it plain: “Much will be required of the person entrusted with much.”

That’s not a warning; it’s an indication of what it means to be a disciple. A reminder that if we’ve been given faith, truth, grace, and the sacraments, then we’re called to live with intentionality and responsibility. We have a purpose, a mission to bring Jesus and His love to the world. But we also shouldn’t live in fear that if we don’t achieve those things God isn’t going to love us or be with us…that’s not who God is. Instead, He says this to remind us to live with focus.

One of the great temptations for committed Catholics (and really any Christian, for that matter) is to settle into a kind of spiritual autopilot, to become complacent with where we are in our faith. We attend Mass. We avoid serious sin. We check the boxes. And we quietly assume that’s enough.

But Jesus doesn’t say, “Blessed is the one who avoids messing up.” He says: “Blessed is the servant whom the master finds doing His will.” It’s not enough to simply avoid evil, to avoid falling into sin. Should we try to do that? Absolutely! But it shouldn’t be our main focus. Our main priority should be to actively do good. To serve. To love. To be generous. To witness. To lead.

Pope Benedict XVI once said: “The world promises you comfort, but you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness.” And that greatness isn’t about status, it’s not about what we have, or what we do to be successful…it’s about holiness. And holiness takes work. It takes attention, courage, sacrifice. It demands that we live like the Master is not just important to us, but that He is the most important person in our lives.

This Gospel really calls us to reflect on how we are living. It calls us to recognize that we don’t own our lives – not our time, our gifts, our relationships, our resources. Everything that we have has been entrusted to us by God; it’s all been a gift. And one day, we’re going to be asked to give an account of how we used those gifts for His glory.

That’s not a guilt trip. It shouldn’t make us afraid of what is to come. But it does give us a bit of a gut check. Jesus is giving us the opportunity to truly think about how we love Him. It’s a moment of grace. It’s an opportunity for us to realize that our lives have purpose. It means what we do every day – the big things and the small things – they all matter.

So, if the Lord looked at our lives today – what would He find?

Would He find someone awake, aware, and ready?
Would He find someone living in purpose, with faith in action?
Would He find someone trying – failing sometimes, sure – but truly trying to live like this life isn’t about them? That they’re striving for holiness?

Because one day the Lord is going to call us home. And when He does, the question will be, “Were you faithful with what I gave you?”

Let’s not wait until we feel ready. Don’t wait until it’s convenient. Start now. Start living like it all belongs to Him – because it does. And live like the Master could walk through the door today…because He can and He just might.

Image: Behold I Stand at the Door and Knock, stained glass window, Saint Mary of the Presentation Catholic Church (Geneva, Indiana). Photo taken by Nheyob. Wikimedia Commons. Used under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.