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“Therefore, stay awake, At first, my reaction to this phrase from the Gospel is apprehension. It sounds a little ominous. But the more I think about it, the more I understand the challenge and what God is asking of me. My relationship with God is not something to pull out each Sunday like the nice jacket I wear to church. I need to strive to live my life so that at any hour or any day, I am ready. My apprehension lifts as I see how well this fits with the Ignatian concept of finding God in all things. My vigilance can be one of joy, of wonder in the sense of discovery of the good in others and in me. Can I carry that off every hour of every day? I’d like to say yes, but I know that I will fall short. I will procrastinate, be rude, be unmindful of others, be impatient and cranky. I will not do the right thing all the time. Today is also the memorial of St. Augustine, known for his writings and for his conversion, which came after a time in his life characterized as loose living. Augustine awoke and then worked throughout his life to stay awake to God. I can pray for help in waking up to my shortcomings, to wake up to the joy and wonder of God in all things. |