Keep awake

0:00

Today is Thursday the 27th of August, the feast of Saint Monica, in the 21st week of Ordinary Time.

Jon Guerra sings, ‘Reckoner’. Notice what draws you in this song as you prepare for prayer today.

These are the days of the devil in the wilderness

These are the tastes that have turned into bitterness

It's not that we doubt that a stone can turn into bread

It's just we doubt that we're hungry at all

The serial temptations of the age are getting harder

The country's getting meaner, computers getting smarter

The pains we try to numb are only getting sharper

We're going on like nothing's the matter at all

Every valley will be lifted

Every mountain brought low

When the reckoner comes reckoning

Every secret will be known

Truly truly, I tell you truly

There's an axe laid at the root

Before the reckoner comes reckoning

Repent, believe the truth

The phone in my pocket was sold like a gain to me

I've lost so much time and attention to technology

That sells me the lie that it knows what I really need

And God knows it only make me feel more alone

This is the rot and the end of civilization

When the spirit is quenched by a spiritless simulation

We need no other signs, no other tribulation than this

Every valley will be lifted

Every mountain brought low

When the reckoner comes reckoning

Every secret will be known

Truly truly, I tell you truly

There's an axe laid at the root

Before the reckoner comes reckoning

Repent, believe the truth

We shall not live by bread alone

But by every word that comes from the mouth of God

We shall not live by bread alone

But by every word that comes from the mouth of God

Truly, truly I tell you truly

As you did it to one of these

To the least of these my brethren

You did it unto me

For I was hungry, and you fed me

I was thirsty, you gave me drink

I was a stranger, and you welcomed me

You did it unto me

Some trust in chariots, in power or politicians

Some trust in the market of collective superstitions

But we trust in the name of the Lord of crucifixion

And the hope of resurrection

In Jesus Christ

4:40

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 24:42-51

Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.

Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give the other servants their allowance of food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find at work when he arrives. Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. But if that wicked servant says to himself, “My master is delayed”, and he begins to beat his fellow-servants, and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know. He will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

6:28

Fire, Sleeper

Dear Gravity & We Dream of Eden

In this parable Jesus tells us that The Son of Man is coming at an unexpected time, like a thief coming in the night, therefore we must be ready.

If you knew that his return could be any moment now, what would you most want to do in preparation?

Jesus says, “Keep awake therefore...”

Perhaps, in some part of your faith, you feel you have dozed off, for example, is there a practice that has slipped out of your routine or a desire that needs to be rekindled?

As the reading is read again, what do you notice from the parable of the faithful and unfaithful servants?

9:28

Matthew 24:42-51

Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.

‘Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give the other servants their allowance of food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find at work when he arrives. Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. But if that wicked servant says to himself, “My master is delayed”, and he begins to beat his fellow-servants, and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know. He will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

11:06

We may feel that this parable has rather a gruesome ending for the wicked servant, but Jesus told these stories to help us to examine our consciences.

As you approach the end of your prayer, open your heart to the Lord, who looks upon you with great love and let him search you and know your thoughts.

13:18

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be

World without end

Amen