>> Sportspersons sweat it out and slog their bodies through a strict routine…

… to achieve the best! 
>> Army personnel undergo a hard grilling and a grinding through tough situations…

… to achieve the best! 
>> Musicians train their voices and are extremely cautious in avoiding bad food habits…

… to achieve the Best! 
>> Scientists meticulously chalk out their experiments and are very careful in minute aspects…

… to achieve the Best!
Any profession or activity, to achieve its goal in the best manner possible…

… requires a tough preparation, unabated determination, a constant movement and an unwavering vigilance!
We are all aware of these aspects with respect to professional disciplines and careers.
But why is it, that very often, such an attitude & such a principle not get applied to Spirituality or our Christian Life?!
>> There seems to be a tendency to take our Christian Life as a routine and for granted…. 

>> There seems to be a feeling to live our Spiritual Lives in relaxation and lethargy and sluggishness… 

>> There seems to be a trend to give least botheration to the aspects of God, Soul, Sin, Grace, Salvation etc…..

 

Why does Spirituality most often find the least place in our lives? 

>> Why do talks of God figure so little in our daily chats? 

>> Why do thoughts of Holiness be entertained least in our minds?

It’s time to wake up from our sleep… 

“Stay Awake”, says the Lord “…….and Be Alert! ” (Mt 24: 42-44)
The Gospel passage speaks of the Second Coming of the Son of Man…
No one knows the time or the hour. 

>> No one knows the context or situation. 
Therefore….we need to be alert and watchful at all times…

… Any time!

… Any Context!

In verse 44, the Lord says, “You must be prepared”… 

… or “You must be ready” 

… or “You must be alert”.

>> When Abraham was prepared to give up his Beloved Isaac… 

… he encountered the glory of God! 
>> When Moses was ready to follow God and trust Him completely…

… he encountered the power of God! 
>> When the Israelites were ready to cleanse themselves and prepare…

… they encountered the Majesty of God! 
>> When the Prophets were willing to let go and abandon fully to God’s hands…

… they encountered the Voice of God! 
>> When Mother Mary was consenting to God’s Will in Her life…

… She encountered the ‘Grace’fulness of God! 
>> When  the Apostles were eager to wait in humility and prayer…

… they encountered the Spirit of God! 

 

>> When we are willing to be prepared and be ready… 

…we will experience the mighty touch and presence of God! 

One of the biggest reasons why a Christian fails to take one’s faith seriously is because of Procrastination… 

>> We mould ourselves to thinking that there is time for all this later… 

>> We still have years ahead to repent and atone! 
Like St Augustine before his conversion, we too often say:

“Give me chastity and continence… but not yet!” 
And this certainly is one of Satan’s most successful strategies in today’s world: To show there is still time… 

Satan, perhaps, does not prevent us…

… From having thoughts of prayer… 

>> But he says: “Not now, do it a little later” 
… From having aspirations of fasting… 

>> But he says: “Not now, do it a little later” 
… From engaging in works of charity…

… but he says: “Not now, do it a little later” 

And we, busy with our daily schedules…like ignorant fools… find that suggestion practical and feasible! 

Today the Lord gets  serious in His tone…and warns us: “Watch! Be alert!” 
We give the best…

… in our workplaces

… in areas of sports and music

… in the armed fields and the scientific labs 

>> But are we slackening when it comes to our Faith and our Christian Life? 
We often, invest our time and money and energy, often only for materialistic and passing things of the world! 

>> But today, let us seek to invest of ourselves in service of the Kingdom and to prepare for the Lord’s coming 
Our souls are searching… 

Our bodies are agitated and distressed… 

>> Money, positions, power, sex, drugs, alcohol, pleasures, films, criticizing others…

… None of these will satisfy or gratify us! 

Yes, it’s time to wake up from our sleep… 
“… know what hour it is, how it is full time now for you to wake from sleep.  

For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand.” (Rom 13: 11-12a)

>> These words which awoke St Augustine from his slumber of paganism, sexual immorality and loose living, into the freedom of Holiness and Sanctity… is addressed also to each one of us…. 

Let us seek and thirst for the One whom our souls are searching…. 

…and always be on the watch, realizing that: “You have made us for yourself, O God…. and our hearts are restless, until they can find rest in you.”

God Bless! Live Jesus!