In today's fast-paced and often tumultuous world, the
message of Jesus in Luke 21:34-36 is more pertinent than ever for us Christians.
We are invited to embrace two attitudes essential
for our spiritual growth and perseverance: vigilance and prayer.
Firstly, let us consider the attitude of vigilance.
Jesus warns us against a spiritual drowsiness, a state where our hearts become
preoccupied with worldly pleasures and anxieties of life. This vigilance is not
just about being watchful; it’s about maintaining an acute awareness of our
spiritual state. In an era where material pursuits and personal ambitions can
easily consume us, we need to remain alert, ensuring that our actions and
thoughts are in harmony with our faith. This vigilance is a call to keep our
spiritual life at the forefront, not letting the immediacy of worldly concerns
overshadow our eternal perspective.
However, it is important to acknowledge that it is never
easy to be vigilant at all time. There are moments when we have doubts, feel
tired and even discouraged. So, what are
the possible means of living out what Jesus is telling us today? In the first place,
I think it is important to keep in mind that God will never ask us to do what
is not possible, what is beyond our capacity. Believing in our hearts that it’s
possible could be the first step. To acquire and grow in this attitude of vigilance,
there is the need for us to be mindful of our thoughts, actions and try to align
them with Gospel teachings. Its more about developing an ingrained sense of
consciousness about one’s life and choices.
Secondly, Jesus calls us to find strength in prayer. It
is through prayer that we find the strength to face life’s trials and
tribulations. Jesus emphasizes the necessity of prayer not only as a means to
seek relief and strength but also as a way to gain wisdom and clarity that helps
us to understand events in our lives and in the world. In a world rife with conflicts, both personal
and global, prayer becomes our humble acknowledgment of dependence on God’s
power. It is in these moments of prayerful communion that we find the clarity
and guidance on our earthly pilgrimage. In prayer we learn to present to God our
lives: joys, pains, doubts, anger, weaknesses, deceptions, failures.
Without vigilance, a prayer life may lack discernment
and awareness of the realities of the world. Vigilance in this context means
being watchful and alert to the temptations and challenges of life. Without it,
we might become overly passive or naive, failing to actively engage with and
respond to the world’s complexities. This could lead to a form of spirituality
that is disconnected from everyday realities and challenges. Unfortunately,
Christians find themselves sometimes in this situation.
Therefore, as Christians living in a time filled with
distractions, social, economic, political and moral crises, let us heed Jesus’s
call with renewed fervor. Let us not succumb to the lures of this world that
can so easily lead us astray. Let us commit to a life of prayer, where we
constantly seek God's presence and guidance. In doing so, we prepare ourselves
not just to face the trials of this world but to stand confidently before the
Son of Man.
Finally, Jesus invites us to live a life deeply rooted
in spiritual awareness and connection with God. Amid the unpredictability and
challenges of our times, let us embrace vigilance and prayer as our guiding
principles and style of life. In this way, we can sail across the complexities
of life with faith and grace, always ready for the coming of the Son of Man.
May our blessed mother Mary, the model of Vigilance and Prayer lead us to her
son Jesus!
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father,
In the whirlwind of life's distractions and trials, we
seek Your guidance to remain vigilant in our faith. Help us to stay spiritually
awake, not losing sight of Your eternal promises amidst the transient lures of
this world. Grant us the wisdom to discern and the strength to resist that
which leads us away from You.
In prayer, we turn to You, our steadfast source of
strength and hope. Teach us to pray with hearts open and minds focused, that we
may draw closer to You each day. May our prayers be a reflection of our
dependence on Your divine grace and a testament to our trust in Your unfailing
love.
Guide us, O Lord, to live in readiness and faith, that
we may stand confidently before the Son of Man when He comes. We make our prayers through Christ our Lord.
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