Be vigilant…
Luke’s language on the surface in today’s gospel is strong, taking a certain diligence to work your way slowly through the message of this short gospel. Notice that I did not stress vigilance being required to read this text though.

According to dictionary.com, diligent means “constant in effort to accomplish something; attentive and persistent in doing anything”, while vigilant means “ever awake and alert; sleeplessly watchful.” The distinction I make here related to how I treat the passage “be vigilant at all times”. The gospel says we should be aware of how we are living our lives. But are we living diligently, constantly focusing on past and future actions, or are we living vigilantly, watchful of the present moment?

So many commitments distract us in life and from being ever alive. While writing this reflection I have continually lost my focus, my thoughts, my attentiveness, and literally found myself sleepy. Even the language of this gospel distracts me from its true message. In the midst of all our everyday anxieties we often strive to be diligent to the tasks at hand (and in our head), but often we ignore the vigilance in our hearts. This vigilance is about testifying to the presence of God and love in your life and being aware of all the distractions that prevent us from being at peace with the end of time. Unfortunately, we often react rather than reflect.

We are asked to be ready now, to be vigilant everyday and to find those among us who need our attention. For me being vigilant is about reaching out and saying hello to an acquaintance, letting my roommates know I care about their day, and remaining vigilant to all the small moments in which the Spirit works around me. I miss these moments sometime, but I must remain diligently vigilant.

Tomorrow begins the liturgical season of Advent, a time of anticipation. This is also a time in which we think a little bit more about others and the less fortunate. Let us wakefully understand the graces in our lives and hearts now and extend our vigil into the entire year.