Awake and alert - always with God!

THE WORD AND THE SAINT

October 22, 2019: Romans 5: 12,15,17-21; Luke 12: 36-38 

Be Awake, says the Lord today. St. Paul reminds us, that death has come from sin; Sin comes through disobedience and disobedience does not, for sure, come all of a sudden. It comes, either from a conscious rebellion or a habitual disregard. 

Conscious rebellion is not as dangerous as a habitual disregard, however. Conscious rebellion at least is a stand taken. One can understand and someone can help too! But a habitual disregard, is dangerous; it is a slow poison. 

A feeling of monotony, getting used to things done on a regular basis, fixed but indifferent schedules of prayer and customary acts of piety, usual persons and daily routines - these are the sources of habitual disregard. It is a kind of a slumber, a slumber with which we carry out our tasks and duties, be they spiritual or otherwise - all done and dusted, but not really bearing their fruit. 

The Lord invites us today, to be alert, to be awake, to be diligent even in the most ordinary of the daily tasks that we carry out, to make a conscious choice in everything that we involve in, so that when the Master comes we are prepared to receive, whatever time it is. 

We remember and thank God for Pope St. John Paul II today, a man who was convinced of what he believed, and what he lived, alert and awake even at the fag end of his life, so burdensome and heavy, so challenging and demanding, willing to give his all, as the Servant of the servants of God. Let us learn from him: to keep awake and alert, because the devil our adversary is prowling round like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour (1 Pet 5:8).