Jesus said to his disciples:
matthew 24:42
“Stay awake!”
Reflection
Jesus tells his disciples to stay awake because they don’t know the hour when the Son of Man will come. He compares this to the master of the house not being prepared when a thief breaks into his house. Servants who obey their master and are still doing so when the master arrives will be rewarded greatly, but the unprepared servant will be punished severely.
Jesus is warning us to stay diligent in our faith. We do not know when he will come again or when we will die. We must be prepared at all times to meet God face to face. This means not neglecting our faith until the last minute, or treating it as something to be used when we feel like it.
Our entire lives are preparation to enter heaven with our Lord. We are pilgrims on earth, growing in holiness and love for Christ so that when the time comes, we are ready to be united with him for eternity. If we slack off in this, we are risking what eternity looks like for us. Will you stay awake, diligently and faithfully anticipating meeting Christ?
Saint of the Day
St. Augustine: AD 354 – 430
“Behold, Lord, my heart is before thee; open Thou the ears thereof, and say unto my soul, I am thy salvation. After this voice let me haste, and take hold on Thee. Hide not Thy face from me. Let me die – lest I die – only let me see Thy face.”
Confessions, St. Augustine
The Healing Word 