34th Week in Ordinary Time : Saturday 2nd December 2023

In today’s Gospel reading,  Jesus asks us to be alert because the day of the Lord will arrive unexpectedly. Most will be taken by surprise! As disciples of Jesus, we are to prepare ourselves and not be like those still caught in the values and cares of the world.

We need to be vigilant in prayer to overcome the temptations that lure us away from what is right. Thus, we have to keep awake at all times! This is a warning to all followers of Jesus!

How can we keep watch of the daily happenings around us and see where the presence of the Holy Spirit prompts us to respond with wisdom and discernment? Indeed, we can draw strength from our relationship with the Lord when challenged with temptations.

This is re-iterated in the first reading, wherein Daniel thanked God for revealing the king’s dream. He acknowledged that God is the master of human history. So, we believe that God can and will lead human history to its climax, establishing His universal eschatological reign on earth. This is what we look forward to!

However, this requires that we synchronise our minds and hearts to that of God, which will eventually lead us to the truth.

“Lord, grant us the grace to be awake always.”