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Lk. 12:32-48
C. S. Lewis tells a story about Satan. One day he was examining three apprentice devils before sending them out into the world to do his dirty work. He asked each one, "What will you say to bring people to my kingdom?" The first one replied, "I will tell them there is no hell.” “That's a waste of time," said Satan." People have a conscience and they know that if they don’t keep the commandments they will go to hell." He looked at the next one to see what he would say. “I’ll tell them there is no God." “You're stupid,” said Satan. "Even though we detest the Bible we know what it says, ‘Only the fool says in his heart there is no God.' You too have failed!” What have you to say?" he said to the last little devil. "I'll tell them they have plenty of time.” “Bravo!” said Satan. “Tell them that, and they will rush headlong into hell.”
Satan is the great Deceiver and perhaps his most successful deception is to make us think that we have plenty of time to prepare for our heavenly home. Jesus knows Satan’s tactics, and that is why He warns us that time is short and it is now that we must be making ourselves ready.
We have a tendency to put things off until tomorrow. We tell ourselves that we'll decorate the kitchen one day, we'll mend that garden fence one day, we'll organise our desk one day. How often that day never comes! Then there are things we promise ourselves. We'll learn a foreign language, go on a diet, and take a cruise. Perhaps next year we'll do these things. We have the same procrastinating attitude towards people. "I must visit my mother soon, but there's plenty of time. I’ll get round to patching things up with Aunty Doris, one of these days. I'll make time to take my son to see his favourite football team – perhaps next Saturday." Time slips past almost unnoticed and suddenly it is too late. Aunty Doris has passed away, your son has grown up, and you're too old to learn French!
By far the greatest mistake we make is when we put off matters that concern our relationship with God. "I suppose I must go to Confession soon. I haven't been for years. I must make arrangements to have my son confirmed. I must make the effort to get to an extra Mass during the week. I'll start next week. I really should say my morning and night prayers. I must remember to have a Mass said for my deceased parents." We feel there is plenty of time for all these things. We don’t need to worry about them today. All the while, Satan is rubbing his hands with glee because he knows we are experts at procrastinating.
In today's Gospel, Jesus says, "Happy that servant if his master’s arrival finds him at his employment." This is Jesus urging us to attend to these spiritual duties now, to stand ready, for we do not know when the call will come. He describes those who are ready as faithful and wise. Those who are not ready will be cut off and sent to the same fate as the unfaithful. In other words, to that unmentionable place. And so Satan will have won.
The older we get, the more we notice time flying. So let's not put off until tomorrow what God expects of us today. Jesus knows it is not going to be easy. It will demand self-discipline and courage, but let us listen to His kind, gentle and encouraging words, "There is no need to be afraid, little flock, for it has pleased Your Father to give you the kingdom." Don't let Satan play on our human weakness of putting off till tomorrow what can be done today.
Lord Jesus, let us heed of the challenge You give us to "Stand ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."
I am a Capuchin Franciscan priest who wants to spread the Gospel of the Lord.
