Be Dressed for Action and Have Your Lamps Lit

Today, we reflect on Jesus’ call in Luke 12:35–38:
“Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit as you wait for the Lord.”

What does it mean to be dressed for action?
It means to be spiritually ready, clothed not in fear or distraction but in the garments of righteousness and holiness.

The right garment is not one of outward show but of inward grace.
It is not to wear a wedding garment and dance when it’s not your wedding day.
It’s not to dress like a doctor or a nurse, or to pretend to be pregnant while praying for a child.
The true garment is the Holy Spirit Himself, a robe woven with humility, praise, gratitude, patience, purity, and love.

This garment was already given to us at baptism, when, as St. Paul says,
“All of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” Galatians 3:27

Each day, we are called to keep this garment clean.

Human weakness can soil it through sin, pride, resentment, or neglect but through daily repentance and reflection, we can restore its brightness.
This is why the examination of conscience is essential, a spiritual washing that keeps us ready for the Master’s return.

Have I lived today with gratitude or with complaint?
Did I love sincerely, forgive easily, and act justly?
Did I allow pride, anger, or envy to stain my heart?
Have I been faithful in prayer, honest in my words, and kind in my thoughts?
Did I remember God’s presence in my daily actions?
Have I used my gifts to serve or only to be seen?

To be dressed for action means to live ready, not fearful, but faithful. To stand before God each day in humility, with our hearts burning like lamps before the Bridegroom.

May our lives shine with the light of holiness, so that when the Master comes and knocks, He will find us awake, prepared, and radiant with grace.

Prayer:

Lord, clothe us again with the garment of Your Spirit. Keep our lamps burning bright in the darkness of the world.
When You come, may You find us awake, pure of heart, and ready to enter the joy of Your presence. Amen.