Today is the last day of the Church year. Tomorrow begins a brand new liturgical year with the season of Advent. In the first reading from the end of the book of Revelation, we see this final beautiful view of heaven. “Night will be no more, nor will they need light from lamp or sun, for the Lord God shall give them light.” In our Gospel reading from Luke 21, Jesus has more words of wisdom for his disciples.
“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life.” You may not carouse or even drink. But I think that of the three things that Jesus listed, the anxieties of daily life are easily the most dangerous. The daily grind. Wake up, go to work, come home, watch TV, go to sleep, then start the cycle all over again. Gotta pay the bills, fix the car, take care of the kids, put up with a lunatic boss, etc., etc., etc. Where is there time for God in this whole equation?
Jesus says, “Be vigilant at all times.” Even with the trials and tribulations of daily life, we must always put God at the top of our minds. When we don’t, we risk getting into that dreaded rut. Leave God out of one moment, one decision, and soon it becomes two, then three, then…well, you get the picture. Let’s keep Jesus by our side, in our minds at all times. Only then will we have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent.
Father, forgive us for those times when we forget to factor you into every equation in our lives. May we always keep you in the forefront of our mind. Amen.
Welcome to December! With just weeks before Christmas, now is the time to order copies of A Minute in the Church for your parish to give away as gifts. Get them today at www.GusLloyd.com.
Excellent advice Gus. It is so easy to fall into those routines and lose our way.