"Be alert and watch, for you don't know when the time will come. When a man goes abroad and leaves his home, he puts his servants in charge, giving to each one some responsibility; and he orders the doorkeeper to stay awake. So stay awake, for you don't know when the Lord of the house will come, in the evening or at midnight, when the cock crows or before dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him catch you asleep.
And what I say to you, I say to all: Stay awake!" - Mark 13:33-37
And what I say to you, I say to all: Stay awake!" - Mark 13:33-37
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| Participation In The Eucharist |
(This is like a summary of the parable of the talents [Matthew 25:14-30] and that of the ten young women [Matthew 25:1-13]. It warns us that we should wait for the LORD who is at work. The doorman symbolizes those who have positions of responsibility in the Church, who are not the owners of the Church but only hold the keys of the Church.
In several parts of the Gospel, JESUS invites us to be vigilant while waiting for HIS arrival. How will HE come? How can HE come to us if we are meant to die before HIS coming in glory?
It is true that we will meet the LORD when we die. Nevertheless, JESUS comes to us in ways while we await HIM, doing our work and living our lives.
Our work. One aspect of our commitment to CHRIST is our commitment to the Christian community, to our Church. This means our participation in common prayer, in the Eucharist, in catechesis and other similar events. as we participate in these commitments there is only one but several "comings" of CHRIST. We see HIS coming in those of our brothers and sisters who are converted; HE comes to us giving us strength and wisdom; HE comes to us through prayer, giving us the inner certainty of HIS presence.
HE also comes in our day-to-day living. The prophets have said time and again that the events that bring renewal and growth in values also bring the LORD. At times, HE comes in HIS resurrection, through happy events that bring life and joy, and more justice and hope for the poor. At other times, HE comes through HIS passion and death.
Precisely because JESUS comes in our daily history, we have a commitment to HIM to serve our contemporary world.
Be alert, for many begin with generosity, but afterward they lose sight of the goal and turn out to be mere administrators and activists.
They are committed to works and movements but not to the LORD HISELF. This is why their life is full of contradictions. For a time they perform marvels and suddenly they fail. They do useful things, but are not aware of the moment they should stop them and follow another path. They do their own work, but do not let the LORD take over their mind, their heart, their whole life.
This does not happen to those who are alert: through them CHRIST comes to people.)
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