During the COVID19 pandemic I lived in the northern part of the Bronx and among other activities, I worked in Harlem giving out food to people on the street and those living outdoors in Marcus Garvey Park. I traveled on the Metro North train between the Riverside (in the Bronx) and 125th St (in Harlem) which usually took about 30 minutes. One winter afternoon I was a little behind schedule finishing up work, and I arrived at the 125th Street station just as the train going north back to the Bronx was scheduled to leave the station. My glasses were fogged up due to the cold. I ran up the stairs and jumped on the train just in the nick of time. The doors closed behind me, and I sat down. I was happy that I made it to the train because during the pandemic there was only one train every hour. As I looked out the window, I saw that we were passing through different neighborhoods. The conductor arrived, looked at my ticket and told me that I was on the wrong train. He then told me I was on an express train to Connecticut. The next stop, where I could get off and return to 125th Street, was halfway to Connecticut. So, there I was inattentive, unprepared, rushed, distracted, following the crowd, confused, on the wrong train, and in the wrong place. Boy, was I going to be late for lunch! I wasn’t even sure I would be back in time for supper!
Today the Word of God calls us to a different way of life. A Christian life should be attentive, prepared, and watchful. Many times, in life we tend to do what everyone else does. We tend to follow the crowd, even if that is not a Christian practice. We hold on to grudges; we let our anger control us; and we let ourselves be lazy about Christian values. When it comes to forgiving someone or working to resolve a problem, we tend to leave that until next year. Jesus is talking about being focused at all times in our life. That means always renouncing sin and always being ready to serve others. That is what conversion is in the life of a Christian.
Today’s two readings give us the key to being focused and on track as true Christians: Be ready. Be attentive. Be prepared. Be joyful. Be gentle. Be thankful. Christian life is like waiting at the subway station, not half asleep, copying what others do, but rather: alter, actively attentive, and serving others through those values. Take some time today to reflect on how you live with your classmates, friends, and family. Does your conversion show itself in how you treat and live with others and with God?
Be ready and keep your lamps burning
just like those servants who wait
for their master to return from a wedding feast.
Image: Pik Wizard | NOV 01 2025 | Public Domain | author: AI creator.