A HUMBLE ENDING

"Who in your opinion is that faithful, farsighted steward...?" —Luke 12:42

Jesus, the King of kings and the Lord of lords, will return in glory, riding on the clouds, escorted by the angels amid mighty trumpet blasts (see Mt 25:31; 1 Thes 4:16). When He arrives, He will surprisingly "put on an apron," seat His humble disciples "at table, and proceed to wait on them" (Lk 12:37). In contrast, those who in their pride have chosen not to do the Lord's will and not to love their neighbors will be punished forever (see Lk 12:46).

We will be ready for Jesus' final coming, if we have chosen to:

put on work-aprons each day to feed and love others (see Lk 12:42),
tie towels around our waists to imitate Jesus and wash the feet of other disciples (Jn 13:4ff),
take the lowest place (Lk 14:10), as Jesus did at Bethlehem, Nazareth, and Calvary, and
empty (Phil 2:7) and humble ourselves (Mt 23:12).

The humble servants of Jesus will not only inherit the earth (Mt 5:5) but also the kingdom of heaven (see Jas 2:5). The Lord has promised: "For then will I remove from your midst the proud braggarts, and you shall no longer exalt yourself on My holy mountain. But I will leave as a remnant in your midst a people humble and lowly" (Zep 3:11-12). Jesus will return in glorious humility to lead the humble to glory. Serve humbly and cry out: "Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!"

Prayer: Jesus, "gentle and humble of heart," make my heart like Yours (Mt 11:29).

Promise: "When much has been given a man, much will be required of him. More will be asked of a man to whom more has been entrusted." —Lk 12:48

Praise: St. Paul advised: "Conceal yourselves in Jesus crucified, and hope for nothing except that all men be thoroughly converted to His will."