Ecclesiasticus 2:1-11 / Mark 9:30-37
To be always prepared is certainly not an easy. It means to be always alert for whatever situations that might arise and to have a solution for it.
Be it to be ready for duty or having thought out beforehand any accident or situation that might occur, so that you know the right thing to do at the right moment, and are willing to do it.
That is certainly very draining and stressful on the mind and body. Besides we also long for some rest and relaxation from being at the beck and call of people who don't make an appointment for our service.
The 1st reading also has something to say about being prepared. It says that if you aspire to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for an ordeal.
But the purpose of saying that is to tell us that if we want to walk in the ways of the Lord and to serve Him, then we must be prepared in mind and body to be steadfast and not to be alarmed when disaster comes.
But it may not be a severe test of faith or having to put our life on the line for the Lord.
Often it comes in small and unsuspecting ways like wanting to be great and to be honoured, and even wanting to be served than to serve.
And Jesus tells us this in the gospel: Anyone who welcomes one of these little children in my name, welcomes me; and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.
So we need to be little and humble always. That is the way to be prepared to welcome Jesus into our hearts.