Jesus said to his disciples:
“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy
from carousing and drunkenness
and the anxieties of daily life,
and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.
For that day will assault everyone
who lives on the face of the earth.
Be vigilant at all times
and pray that you have the strength
to escape the tribulations that are imminent
and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Lectio (Reading)
Read the passage twice and get a sense of what it is saying. Pay attention to what strikes you.Meditatio (Reflecting)
Slowly read the passage again, pausing on words or phrases that stands out. Take time to consider the meaning. particularly in your life.Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.
Oratio (Responding)
Read the passage again, slowly. Consider how God has spoken to you and respond back to Him. You may want to consider how this passage is asking you to act differently.Be vigilant, like the wise virgins, keeping your lamps trimmed and carrying extra oil…, be ready.
What does this mean for our lives, it means getting baptized and confirmed. Working at every moment to stay in a state of grace, by frequently going to the sacraments, eucharist and confession. It means living out your vocation (of motherhood, or fatherhood), with joy, and zeal. And then when you are sick, or at the end of your life, to seek the anointing of the sick. This is not the only way to heaven, and we cannot account for the grace of God, but if you do these things with faith and charity, you will be ready.
Make your life a prayer. Pray always, and offer up every part of your day to the lord. Saint Francis de Sales once said “Every one of us needs half an hour of prayer every day, except when we are busy—then we need an hour.” Our lives need to be a constant prayer, because it is only through gods love and grace that we are able to do any of these things in our lives, so we need to stay close to that source so that we can become a conduit of those graces to all of the other people in our lives. If you do this then you can rightly hope in Gods love and protection and you will be spared the tribulations and the final test.
The tribulations spoken of in all of the bible’s apocalyptic verses are not something to trifle with, you do not want to experience them. Famine, earthquakes, plagues, persecution, and great suffering. Pray that you can be spared these things, because who knows how you will handle the test if you are put to it. So like the wise virgins, be ready, watch with great love and joy for the coming of the bridegroom, but do not become drowsy and fall asleep in the ways of the world.
If you can do this, then the promise of eternal joy in heaven awaits you.
Contemplatio (Contemplating)
Take time to simply remain in the presence of God.Resolutio (Resolving)
Make a resolution that will improve your life, your relationships, or your faith. Make it small and attainable, and do it.Oh lord, help me today to put first things first, to have joy, and love, and to not get bogged down in the ways and worries of the world. Amen.