The obedience of Jesus is exemplary!

October 21, 2025 Tuesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Daily Readings: Romans 5:12, 15b, 17-19, 20b-21; Luke 12:35-38
 

St. Paul contrasts the legacies of the sin of the first Adam and the redemptive death of Jesus Christ, the new Adam. The first Adam’s sin brought death into the world but the free of grace of Jesus Christ abounded. The themes of sin and righteousness are interrelated. There is no need to condemn the sin of Adam. It is a happy fall as Saint Augustine called it because it brought down the Son of God in human form. The sin of Adam is disobedience. Jesus decided to obey the will of God and through his obedience he made many righteous. What is noteworthy here is this statement: “…where sin increased, grace abounded all the more” (Romans 5:20).

There is a brief metaphor in today’s gospel reading. The master here is Jesus Christ. His Second Coming is bound to happen at any time. But the time of his return is not revealed and therefore the slaves, namely the followers have to be ready and vigilant at all times.  Being dressed up and standing with a lighted lamp signify the enormity and greatness of the occasion besides their highly preparedness for the moment. Believers have to be ever ready spiritually as well. In fact, that is the first priority. Jesus says that blessed are those slaves who wait for the master to return not knowing when he will come back. The servant has the responsibility to serve the master. He has to carry out his responsibility with fidelity, joy and without murmuring. The joyful and voluntary of Jesus exercised becomes a model for all the believers. 

Call to Action: A good and faithful servant is a treasure for every master. Spiritual preparedness is an integral part of the eschatological times. But the relevant question that I would like to ask is: Are my eyes open to the needs of my neighbour? Are my ears open to the cries of the oppressed?