Scripture:
1 Corinthians 1:1-9
Matthew 24:42-51
Reflection:
The first line of the Gospel today says, “Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Stay awake!’ For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.'” The thought immediately hit me – yes, stay awake, but how many of us need to WAKE UP!!
I’ve been reading a book called Awareness by Fr. Anthony de Mello, an Indian Jesuit Priest. He talks a lot about waking up – and it made me realize that I need to be concerned with those things that truly impact me, my attitude, my compassion, my trust and faith in God. What do people think of me? Irrelevant. Should I concern myself with why someone looked at me cross eyed? Nope. Should I be aware of the goodness of God and all his gifts, and all the talents He has shared, and all of the mercy he has shown? WAKE UP – yes!!
So don’t let time be your enemy – stay awake and remain faithful and prudent. Take care to be in constant prayer with God, read his word, share his messages – there are so very many!! Yes, stay awake and be prepared, living your life in a way that is pleasing to God. And if you aren’t, wake up!! It’s never too late to reconnect with our loving Saviour and live as He wants you to live.
I would be remiss to not mention that today also celebrates the Memorial of St. Monica, a woman who prayed for many, many years for her son, Augustine. She stayed awake!! She never rested from praying for her son to return to the faith. The Franciscans explain, “Monica was distressed to learn that her son had accepted the Manichean heresy—’all flesh is evil’—and was living an immoral life. One night she had a vision that assured her Augustine would return to the faith. From that time on, she stayed close to her son, praying and fasting for him.” And he did return to the faith, because Momma stayed awake, and Augustine woke up.
Patty Masson is a supporter of the Passionists, residing in Spring, Texas.