Revelation 22:1-7,
Psalm 95: 1-2.3-5.,
Luke 21:34-36 Full Readings
And therefore, Stay Awake
Brethren, St John in the first Reading describe magnificently the city where the throne of God and of the Lamb are. The beautiful description arouses the desire to be in that city. The world in which we live today has lost the sense of reverence for God. Technology is deified and worshipped by many in place of God. Many people do not even pray, or even talk of going to church. Many Christians go to church/worship God only when they want something from God. After they get what they seek, they mind their business and leave God out. Those who serve God in Spirit and in Truth are persecuted by religious fanatics in different ways. In the midst of all this evil, one cannot but cry out Maranatha – come! Come Lord Jesus!
And so, as the liturgical year comes to an end today, let us thank God who has enabled us to reach this day and in the same way who has given us an opportunity to reflect, examine and evaluate the year which ends today. Throughout this year: How have I loved and served God above all and his people? How have I helped in spreading and bringing of his kingdom here on Earth? How have I taken part in Acts of charity, fighting for justice, peace and equality among all? How was my prayer life this year? Have I thanked God enough for what he has done for me? How have I seen Jesus in my neighbors? How have I been an example of faith and morals to the younger in faith? How did I help in the growth of the church? What are the chances I have missed? What would I have done to show God's glory but neglected them? What good did I do wrongly? How have I kept my promises to God? Where do I go wrong? And so many others. Each of these questions should end: how can I improve or how can I do better in the coming liturgical year? How can I thank the Lord for enabling me to reach this day? Reflecting and examining this ending year will enable us pass next year as grownups in our spiritual life.
Jesus, in the gospel, also gives us his final advice concluding his teachings on the end of time. For the last few days, Jesus has taught us a lot about the last day especially concerning the signs that will tell that that the day is near, how we are to be prepared and how we shall be judged. Yesterday, he told us that heaven and earth will pass away but his words will not pass away meaning that all will be fulfilled and today he gives us three pieces of advice which will enable us to reach the final judgement day worthy of his kingdom: to be aware and watchful (in terms of sobriety), to be vigilant and to pray always
Jesus warns us of “carousing and drunkenness” and encourages us to be aware and watchful of ourselves; we must stay sober in order that the last day finds us concentrated on things of God. Sobriety is a symbol for concentration and perseverance, to avoid the distractions of carousing in a worldly enjoyment and so ending up like the drunken steward of Luke 12.45 who maltreats his fellow-servants and does not notice his master arriving back. Carousing, drunkenness, and anxiety can result in drowsy hearts and leads us into sin. We have the Catechism to elaborate on what happens if we fall into grave sins: “Mortal sin...results in the loss of charity and the privation of sanctifying grace, that is, of the state of grace. If it is not redeemed by repentance and God's forgiveness, it causes exclusion from Christ's Kingdom and the eternal death of hell, for our freedom has the power to make choices for ever, with no turning back.” (CCC 1861).
Jesus’ admonition to “beware” is the most loving message he can give us, for his heart’s desire is that we spend eternity with the Father in Heaven. This warning includes all the pleasures of the world. We must not give in to the pleasures of the world for that day to find us worthy for Jesus.
Secondly Jesus tells us to be vigilant. It can always be easy for us to become indifferent to things of God and give in to temptations of the world and it's anxieties which Jesus warns us about. When we do this, the day of the Lord will get us like a trap, unprepared at all. We must stay alert and carry out God's will at all times. To be vigilant is to be alert, attentive, and on guard over our souls. Vigilance begins with a good examination of conscience to discern what God is asking of us, especially today for this new liturgical year. Then we lean on the grace of God to guard against temptation so that we can act prudently and charitably to carry out his will.
Thirdly, we have to Pray and pray all the time for the devil is always looking for our souls to devour them. Without prayer, we are separated from God. Throughout his Gospel, Luke's has stressed the permanent accompaniment of the apostolate: Jesus prays all night before choosing the Twelve; he teaches them his own prayer; parables of prayer abound, and especially the persistence of the Wronged Widow and the Unjust Judge, and the humility of the Tax-Collector. Prayer must also be a permanent accompaniment of us in our spiritual journey.
“Pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.” Alone we are weak; with God we can do all things. This is why prayer is so important; it places us in a right relationship to God, the source of grace and life and strength. Without him, we are small and helpless; the tribulations wash over and destroy us, just as the waves destroy the house built on sand. When we do not pray, we are telling God that we think we can manage things without him. When we pray, we are placing all our confidence in him. When we pray, love replaces fear or drowsiness in our hearts. Hope grows so that we can be confident that we will one day stand before the Son of Man when he comes at the end of time.
With these pieces of advice, the Lord promises also to remain with us until the end of time. We need not to worry. The Lord knows our struggles, weaknesses, and shortcomings. And he assures us that we do not need to carry our burdens alone nor struggle without his help. He is always very present and ready to give us whatever strength, guidance, and help we need to fight temptation and to stay the course which he has set for us. But there is one thing he doesn't tolerate: indifference, an attitude of not caring, and doing nothing! The Lord wants us to cast our anxieties on him and to ask for his guidance and help. Do you pray for God's strength and wisdom?
Until the Lord comes again, we can expect troubles, trials, and temptations. Our adversary the devil does not rest in his attempt to lure us away from God's will for our lives. If he cannot succeed in getting us to renounce our faith in Christ, he will try, little by little, to distract us from pursuing God, especially in prayer and listening to his word. Ask the Lord Jesus to rekindle the fire of his love in you so that you will be ready and eager to meet him when he comes again.
And so, as the liturgical year comes to an end today, let us thank God who has enabled us to reach this day and in the same way who has given us an opportunity to reflect, examine and evaluate the year which ends today. Throughout this year: How have I loved and served God above all and his people? How have I helped in spreading and bringing of his kingdom here on Earth? How have I taken part in Acts of charity, fighting for justice, peace and equality among all? How was my prayer life this year? Have I thanked God enough for what he has done for me? How have I seen Jesus in my neighbors? How have I been an example of faith and morals to the younger in faith? How did I help in the growth of the church? What are the chances I have missed? What would I have done to show God's glory but neglected them? What good did I do wrongly? How have I kept my promises to God? Where do I go wrong? And so many others. Each of these questions should end: how can I improve or how can I do better in the coming liturgical year? How can I thank the Lord for enabling me to reach this day? Reflecting and examining this ending year will enable us pass next year as grownups in our spiritual life.
Jesus, in the gospel, also gives us his final advice concluding his teachings on the end of time. For the last few days, Jesus has taught us a lot about the last day especially concerning the signs that will tell that that the day is near, how we are to be prepared and how we shall be judged. Yesterday, he told us that heaven and earth will pass away but his words will not pass away meaning that all will be fulfilled and today he gives us three pieces of advice which will enable us to reach the final judgement day worthy of his kingdom: to be aware and watchful (in terms of sobriety), to be vigilant and to pray always
Jesus warns us of “carousing and drunkenness” and encourages us to be aware and watchful of ourselves; we must stay sober in order that the last day finds us concentrated on things of God. Sobriety is a symbol for concentration and perseverance, to avoid the distractions of carousing in a worldly enjoyment and so ending up like the drunken steward of Luke 12.45 who maltreats his fellow-servants and does not notice his master arriving back. Carousing, drunkenness, and anxiety can result in drowsy hearts and leads us into sin. We have the Catechism to elaborate on what happens if we fall into grave sins: “Mortal sin...results in the loss of charity and the privation of sanctifying grace, that is, of the state of grace. If it is not redeemed by repentance and God's forgiveness, it causes exclusion from Christ's Kingdom and the eternal death of hell, for our freedom has the power to make choices for ever, with no turning back.” (CCC 1861).
Jesus’ admonition to “beware” is the most loving message he can give us, for his heart’s desire is that we spend eternity with the Father in Heaven. This warning includes all the pleasures of the world. We must not give in to the pleasures of the world for that day to find us worthy for Jesus.
Secondly Jesus tells us to be vigilant. It can always be easy for us to become indifferent to things of God and give in to temptations of the world and it's anxieties which Jesus warns us about. When we do this, the day of the Lord will get us like a trap, unprepared at all. We must stay alert and carry out God's will at all times. To be vigilant is to be alert, attentive, and on guard over our souls. Vigilance begins with a good examination of conscience to discern what God is asking of us, especially today for this new liturgical year. Then we lean on the grace of God to guard against temptation so that we can act prudently and charitably to carry out his will.
Thirdly, we have to Pray and pray all the time for the devil is always looking for our souls to devour them. Without prayer, we are separated from God. Throughout his Gospel, Luke's has stressed the permanent accompaniment of the apostolate: Jesus prays all night before choosing the Twelve; he teaches them his own prayer; parables of prayer abound, and especially the persistence of the Wronged Widow and the Unjust Judge, and the humility of the Tax-Collector. Prayer must also be a permanent accompaniment of us in our spiritual journey.
“Pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.” Alone we are weak; with God we can do all things. This is why prayer is so important; it places us in a right relationship to God, the source of grace and life and strength. Without him, we are small and helpless; the tribulations wash over and destroy us, just as the waves destroy the house built on sand. When we do not pray, we are telling God that we think we can manage things without him. When we pray, we are placing all our confidence in him. When we pray, love replaces fear or drowsiness in our hearts. Hope grows so that we can be confident that we will one day stand before the Son of Man when he comes at the end of time.
With these pieces of advice, the Lord promises also to remain with us until the end of time. We need not to worry. The Lord knows our struggles, weaknesses, and shortcomings. And he assures us that we do not need to carry our burdens alone nor struggle without his help. He is always very present and ready to give us whatever strength, guidance, and help we need to fight temptation and to stay the course which he has set for us. But there is one thing he doesn't tolerate: indifference, an attitude of not caring, and doing nothing! The Lord wants us to cast our anxieties on him and to ask for his guidance and help. Do you pray for God's strength and wisdom?
Until the Lord comes again, we can expect troubles, trials, and temptations. Our adversary the devil does not rest in his attempt to lure us away from God's will for our lives. If he cannot succeed in getting us to renounce our faith in Christ, he will try, little by little, to distract us from pursuing God, especially in prayer and listening to his word. Ask the Lord Jesus to rekindle the fire of his love in you so that you will be ready and eager to meet him when he comes again.
Let us Pray
Lord Jesus, I thank l you for enabling me pass through this year of the Church faithfully and successfully. I ask you to forgive the wrongs I have done and the promises I have broken, supply for the graces and chances I missed and give me courage to always do better than I have done during this year. May your coming back at the end of time find me worthy to live with you eternally. Amen
Be blessed
Lord Jesus, I thank l you for enabling me pass through this year of the Church faithfully and successfully. I ask you to forgive the wrongs I have done and the promises I have broken, supply for the graces and chances I missed and give me courage to always do better than I have done during this year. May your coming back at the end of time find me worthy to live with you eternally. Amen
Be blessed
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