Blessed is the prudent servant who remains faithful and responsible until his master’s return. Today’s Gospel passage is part of a series of teachings that Jesus gave following his denunciation of the Pharisees and scholars of the law (cf. Luke 11:37-54). It was no secret that Jesus and the religious leaders, especially the Pharisees, were not the best of friends. The Pharisees looked at Jesus as an imposter and as someone who was out to cause trouble because of his disregard for their customs and traditions. For someone who claimed to be a rabbi, Jesus interpretation and application of the law and the prophets was questionable to say the least. On his part, although he respected the leadership positions that the Pharisees and other religious leaders occupied (cf. Matthew 23:2-3a), Jesus saw these religious leaders as individuals who had failed to faithfully live the shepherding responsibility that had been given them by God. He often accused them not only of of being too rigid in their interpretation of the law but also of appearing less concerned about the welfare of the people whom they were charged with shepherding. 
At the beginning of the twelfth chapter of the Gospel according to Luke, and perhaps as an introduction to the teachings that followed, Jesus tells his disciples to be on their guard and watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees (which he proceeds to identify as the Pharisees’ hypocrisy). The passage that constitutes today’s Gospel Reading is sub-titled  ‘On being ready for the Master’s return.’ Even though it comes more than thirty-five verses later, the instruction contained therein affords us some insight into the hypocrisy about which Jesus had warned his disciples. It had to do with the disciples’ identity and calling. Just like the Pharisees and the other religious leaders, Jesus’ disciples had taken upon themselves a responsibility that was going to put them in some kind of leadership positions. Like the Pharisees, the disciples had followed into the footsteps of the prophets of old and as such were anointed by God not only to be proclaimers of the good news but also to be representatives of God among the people. However, unlike the Pharisees, the disciples were to cultivate the understanding that their leadership positions were to transform them into servants of the people, not their masters or lords. The disciples were to strive to become good imitators of their master who sought to be of service to his brothers and sisters and not as their lord (cf. Mark 10:45). Moreover, it was not enough that the disciples become servants; they also had to be faithful servants. 
In response to Peter’s question on whether Jesus’ teachings were meant only for them or for everyone, Jesus adds that a faithful servant must never let his/her guard down and be found wanting. A faithful servant must be prudent and responsible over his master’s property. In the description of the unfaithful servant, Jesus uses the method of the  via negativa to remind the disciples how NOT to be a servant. The unfaithful servant had been entrusted as a steward in his master’s household. He was in charge of both his master’s property as well as the other servants who worked in his master’s estate. As a steward, his responsibility was to ensure that everything ran smoothly and that his master’s estate produced handsome returns. His responsibility became even greater and his loyalty needed the most when his master went on an overseas trip. But it was at this critical moment that he was found wanting. In the absence of his master, he became negligent and forgot about his responsibility. Instead of taking care of his master’s business, he took to mistreating his fellow servants thus distracting them from carrying out their duties. He had become not only an irresponsible servant but also an unfaithful one. 
Discipleship is all about fidelity. The fidelity required of a disciple is not one of doing but rather of being. A disciple must be aware of his/her identity at all times, for it is in this that lies the preparedness about which Jesus is talking. Once the being of a disciple is up-to-date, the doing of a disciple becomes easy and automatic since it flows form his/her “being.” Had the servant kept in mind his identity as the steward of his master’s household, he would not have been caught unawares by the return of the master since the household would have been found running smoothly. As a matter of fact, the return of the master would have become a joyous occasion for him, a time to show the master that he can be relied upon. As disciples, we become ready for the second coming of Jesus when we understand the call that we have received from Jesus even as we endeavor to perfectly and faithfully live that call.