Vigilant Prayer

Reflection:

As we come to an end of the Church’s calendar year we are reminded about the importance of remaining vigilant. The best way to remain vigilant is through constant prayer with Jesus. It’s easy for us to get completely caught up in certain events in life such as the OSU UM football game or finding deals on Black Friday. However, we are reminded in today’s gospel that the essential way to remain focused on the Lord rather than life’s daily anxieties is through constant prayer because it places the craziness of life in perspective. Prayer acts as a compass to guide and re-center our lives on the things of heaven. Prayer acts as an avenue to place our circumstances before the Lord and allow Him to guide our thoughts, words, and actions we walk in discipleship of the Lord.

 

Reading (Luke 21: 34 – 36):

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.”

Good Thief

Reflection:

The good thief’s words to Jesus “Remember me when you come into your kingdom” are they essential words that should guide our lives. At some point we will all meet Jesus and the good thief realized this necessity right before his death. The question that this poses to us today is reflecting on the question of how do we want Jesus to remember us when we go before him at the end of our lives. The good thief had the amazing opportunity to die next to Jesus and repent of his sins; however since we will most likely have more time on earth than the good thief who was just hours away from his death. How do we go about living a life of holiness and repentance from sin? Are there areas in our lives that we would rather not turn over to the Lord and “wait” until the end of our lives? If so, those are the critical areas for us to turn over the Lord today! So let us live lives exemplifying the love we have for Jesus and the desire to remembered as “good and faithful servants.”

 

Reading (Luke 23: 35 -43):

The rulers sneered at Jesus and said, “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God.” Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine they called out, “If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.” Above him there was an inscription that read, “This is the King of the Jews.”

Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us.” The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

 

 

 

Revelations

Reflection:

Today’s first reading touches upon two relevant themes as the Church wraps up its calendar year. The two themes include testing those who call themselves Apostles and endurance. One of the four cardinal virtues, prudence, allows one to exercise sound judgment in practical/logical situations. Many will claim to be Apostles but the wickedness that emanates from their hearts shows their true character. Although we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, we must not allow wickedness to impact us or dissuade us.  Secondly, endurance touches on the point that life has many challenges and obstacles and it’s easier to throw in the towel on God and our faith when things become challenging. However, just the opposite is true. When our faith is tested we must continue to love and remain consistent and steadfast in our commitment to God. Certain truths are revealed to us by God over the course of our lives and the devil will continually try to gnaw away and remove our initial trust and faith; however, John in Revelations is imploring us to endure everything in life with the same love we initially had with God. So let us remain vigilant and endure all challenges of faith as we prepare for the end of our life. Let us do this every day and one day it will be our last.

Reading (Revelations 1):

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him, to show his servants what must happen soon. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who gives witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ by reporting what he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud and blessed are those who listen to this prophetic message and heed what is written in it, for the appointed time is near.

John, to the seven churches in Asia: grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne.

I heard the Lord saying to me: “To the angel of the Church in Ephesus, write this:

“‘The one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks in the midst of the seven gold lampstands says this: “I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate the wicked; you have tested those who call themselves Apostles but are not, and discovered that they are impostors. Moreover, you have endurance and have suffered for my name, and you have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: you have lost the love you had at first. Realize how far you have fallen. Repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.”’”