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TODAY’S WORD…

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Jesus said,

“Be ready for whatever comes,

dressed for action and with your lamps lit,

like servants who are waiting for their master to come back from a wedding feast.

When he comes and knocks,

they will open the door for him at once.

How happy are those servants whose master finds them awake and ready when he returns!”

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– Luke 12:35-37a (GNT)

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REFLECTION…

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In the preaching of Christ and of the Apostles

we are frequently exhorted to be watchful.

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One reason is because the enemy is always on the prowl

– Be alert, be on watch!

Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion,

looking for someone to devour. (1 Pt 5:8)

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Another reason is that the heart of a person who is truly in love with the Lord,

never sleeps with expectation

– I slept, but my heart was awake.
Listen! my beloved is knocking. (SS 5:2)

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This watchfulness expresses itself in a spirit of prayer

– The end of all things is near.

You must be self-controlled and alert,

to be able to pray. (1 Pt 4:7)

Moreover, Jesus also tells us,

“Be on watch

and pray always that you will have the strength

to go safely through all those things that will happen

and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Lk 21:36)

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Our watchfulness denotes fortitude in faith

– Keep alert, stand firm in your faith,

be courageous, be strong. (1 Cor 16:13)

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Our Lord’s emphasis

is on the attitude we should adopt up to the time He comes again.

It is not enough to believe and to know and proclaim that Jesus is Lord,

and to belong to His Church.

One has to be on the watch

and be continually preparing for Christ’s coming.

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QUOTE…

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“Watch with the heart,

watch with faith,

watch with love,

watch with charity,

watch with good works…”

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– St. Augustine

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Lord Jesus, grant that I will always love You,

and that I will be awake and ready when You come!

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