Hôm nay Chúa Giêsu dậy cho chúng ta biết sống cảnh giác, và sự cänh giác như Cha Giêsu đã chỉ dậy đòi hỏi sự từ bỏ niềm vui trần thế và của cải, vì những thứ ấy đánh lạc hướng chúng ta đến với Chúa.. Để duy trì sự thận trọng này, chúng ta cần phải vác cho mình tấm áo giáp tâm linh. Điều này sẽ giúp cho chúng ta chiến đấu mỗi ngày với thế gian mỗi ngày, Thánh Phêrô viết "kẻ thù của con người chúng ta chính là ma quỉ, như sư tử rống, đi về tìm kiếm ai đó để ăn tươi nuốt sống." - 1 Peter 5,8 . Chúng tôi cần phải luôn luôn cảnh giác hàng ngày, qua lời cầu nguyện liên tục và từ bỏ chính mình trong những cuộc đấu tranh chống lại sự dữ.
Watchfulness is a characteristic of the Christian. To watch is to avoid being taken unawares by an enemy. A person who watches is on the alert so that he can live in darkness without being part of the darkness. We are vigilant because there is a great expectation of the glorious manifestation of Christ. But this hour cannot be foreseen. Therefore, it demands from us a detachment from earthly pleasure and goods, a renouncement of excesses associated with "the night" because they distract us from the Lord's coming. To maintain this vigilance we need to shoulder a spiritual armor. This will keep us from losing fervor and direction because there is a daily combat, "Your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion goes about looking for someone to devour." – 1 Peter 5,8. May we always be on guard daily, through constant prayer and self-denial in the struggle against the evil one.
Jesus said to his disciples: “Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.” Luke 12:35–36
What does it mean to “Gird your loins?” This phrase, which is not commonly used today, literally means “tighten your belt.” It traditionally refers to one who is wearing a long robe that makes it difficult to move quickly and easily. Thus, to gird your loins means that you tuck in the long robe and tighten your belt so that you are prepared for some physical activity. It was also commonly used to exhort those preparing for battle to get ready. Symbolically, then, this phrase simply means to be ready for something difficult or challenging. It means to be vigilant and prepared. Spiritually speaking, Jesus is telling His disciples to be ready for the spiritual battle that awaits them.
Jesus then tells His disciples to light their lamps. That phrase could have a variety of meanings, such as “Do not remain in the darkness of sin or ignorance” or “Let the light of charity shine forth as you navigate through life” or “Allow the light of truth to shine within your mind.” Hence, by the light of faith, they are to be prepared and vigilant, ready to do all that the Lord sends them to do.
Today’s Gospel ends by Jesus saying that the disciples will be truly blessed if they remain vigilant even until the second or third watch of the night. Some Church Fathers see this as a reference to three periods in one’s life: childhood being the first watch, middle age being the second, and old age being the third watch.
With these meanings understood, one message we can take from this Gospel is that Jesus is calling us to be vigilant in our faith at every moment of our lives. For those who have lived many years, it may be useful to look back at how faithful you have been throughout every period of your life. God wants to use you in many ways during childhood, through your middle age, and even in old age. The journey of faith must never end. Instead, it must continually deepen as you age. But this will only be possible if you “gird your loins” and “light your lamps.” You must continually be vigilant, continually attentive to the light of faith, and continually be ready to act every time God inspires you to act.
Reflect, today, upon the lifelong journey of faith and service of God to which you are called. Being a Christian is not simply something you are born into. If you were born into the faith, then ponder especially what you have done throughout your life to daily deepen and strengthen that faith. Ponder whether or not you have diligently responded to the countless inspirations of the Holy Spirit to spread the light of faith to others. If you have been truly faithful throughout your life, then give thanks to God and recommit yourself to this fidelity for the rest of your life. If you have lacked faith and vigilant attentiveness to the will of God, then place that in the hands of God’s mercy and resolve from this day forward to do all you can to respond to the will of God the moment God calls.
My most merciful Lord, I thank You for the countless ways throughout my life that You have spoken to me, calling me to fulfill my mission of faith and love in this world. I commit to You, this day, to always remain vigilant and attentive to You every time You call. Use me, dear Lord, so that I may bring the light of Your saving Gospel to a world in
need. Jesus, I trust in You.
Opening Prayer: Lord God, bless me today as your child and servant. I await the glorious return of your Son and will continue to prepare myself to welcome him. May I be a vigilant and diligent servant as I work in the vineyard of your Kingdom.
1. Hard Work and Alertness: In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us how we are to live in the Church. He tells us to gird our loins and keep our lamps lit. For Saint Cyril of Alexandria, the girding of our loins signifies the readiness to work hard in everything praiseworthy, while the lamp represents the alertness of the mind to repel any tendency to slumber off into the carelessness that leads to sin. For Saint Augustine, to gird one’s loins is to restrain lustful appetites, while to have lamps burning is to shine with good works. The first is about self-control, the second is about justice.
1. The Last Things: Maybe you are wondering about–or even growing tired of–the recurring theme of these days’ Gospels: the end of life, the end of time, the end of the world. The reason for this emphasis is that the yearly liturgical cycle is approaching its end, and this final stretch is dedicated precisely to the “last things.” In a few weeks, the liturgical year will culminate in the feast of Christ the King before commencing the new year with Advent. Let’s take these last days of the church year to dive deeply into the themes of death, judgment, heaven, and hell with the assurance that our contemplation of these realities will help us to grow in holiness.
In today's Gospel, Jesus teaches us a lesson in faithfulness. Just as the Lord is committed to us in a bond of unbreakable love, we too should always remain true and committed to Him. If we are to be like the servants who are ready and waiting, we need to always be in a state of grace, borne out of faithfulness to Him.
It is difficult to remain faithful or prepared for the Lord's coming, because we live in a society that extols freedom and self-centeredness. We live in a world where personal happiness and satisfaction is a priority. If our current preoccupation – whether it be our career, wealth, a relationship, habit or the like – is not holy and pleasing to Him, then we are being unfaithful and are not ready for the Master's return. We are distracted from focusing on God's will for us.
We are asked to wait and that can really take a toll especially for some of us who find themselves somewhat impatient. With fast food readily available, with what we desire conveniently delivered at the click of a mouse, we cannot sit still and be ready for the Lord to arrive. We are asked to pray and prepare ourselves. Oh, how much grace we will need to keep watch and stay at our post!
It is quite challenging to be faithful on our own. We need the strength of the Holy Spirit to help keep us faithful and ready. We need the guidance of our community who are one-minded in this mission for the Lord.
What part of our life is keeping us from being faithful to him? Lift it up to the Lord and ask Him for the grace to repent and remain steadfast. He promises a great reward to those servants who are ready.
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