We don't know when the Lord is going to return – we don't
know the day or the hour. We need to
stay awake, be vigilant, and be prepared.
This Gospel message might hit home to us when we see how
differently our lives can end here on earth.
We can see those who battle a long-term illness for years, that time
helps them prepare for the end of life, with many of them making the effort to
make right their relationship with God and with their brothers and sisters with
the knowledge that the illness is terminal.
Yet, we can also see those who die so unexpectedly in an accident or a
sudden illness. They have no time to
prepare; they don't go through a process where they are able to come to terms
with their pending death.
Our faith calls us to examine our lives, to enter a cycle of
repentance & conversion, to constantly grow in our faith. I was reading about the life of one of the
saints we celebrate this week, Joseph Calasanz, a priest from the kingdom of
Aragon in Spain who was born in the mid-16th century and who lived to right old
age of 92. He was a very skilled canon
lawyer, theologian, and administrator.
He held important church administrative posts in his diocese and in
Rome. Yet, he felt that God was calling
to him to work toward providing poor children a quality education, a subject
that received very little attention in his era.
In his way of being prepared and being vigilant for the coming of God's
kingdom, Joseph examined his life and was willing to take a risk to change
directions. Joseph worked toward building up God's kingdom here on earth, even
when it brought a great deal of turmoil and frustration into his life.
Lord, as you call us to be prepared and to be vigilant, may
we never be afraid to live the life of faith to which you call us. May we live
out our faith in courage & tenacity, always being prepared.
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