Do not fear,
little flock,
because your Father is pleased
to give you the Kingdom.
Sell your possessions
and give alms,
make a money bag, which doesn’t wear out,
inexhaustible treasure in the heavens,
where a thief cannot draw near
nor a moth destroy.
For where your treasure is
there also is your heart.
Let your loins be girded about
and (your) lamps burning.
be like people waiting for their master,
when he returns home from the wedding
so that when he comes and knocks
immediately they might open (the door) for him.
Blessed are those slaves,
whom the master, coming, finds awake.
Truly I tell you,
he will make himself ready (to serve)
have them recline
and he will come and serve them.
And even if in the second or third watch
he comes and finds like that
blessed are those ones.
But know this
that if the householder had known
what time the thief was coming
he would not have left him to dig through (into) his house.
And you all – be ready, because the Son of Man comes
at the time you do not suppose.
Eternal God and Father,
you create us by your power,
and redeem us by your love,
guide and strengthen us by your Spirit,
that we may give ourselves in love and service
to one another and to you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen