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TODAY’S WORD…

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Jesus said,

“Be careful

not to let yourselves become occupied with too much feasting and drinking

and with the worries of this life,

or that Day may suddenly catch you like a trap.

For it will come upon all people everywhere on earth.

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.”

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– Luke 21:34-36 (GNT)

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REFLECTION…

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Jesus is emphasising that every Christian needs to be vigilant

because we do not know the day nor the hour in which He will ask us to render an account of our lives.

Therefore, we must at all times be trying to do God’s will,

so that death, whenever it comes, will find us ready

and not take us by surprise.

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Vigilance consists in making a constant effort

not to be attached to the things of this world;

to control all ardent longings and selfish human desire for objects, persons, or experiences;

not to be arrogant, ostentatious, conceited, presumptuous, or boastful.

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It is essential, also, that we persevere in prayer,

because it is what keeps us close to God.

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If I live in this way,

the day I die will be a day of joy and not of terror,

for with God’s help my vigilance will mean that my soul will be ready to receive the visit of my Lord;

that it will be in the state of grace whenever He chooses to come.

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If I live in this way,

when I come to meet Christ I will not be meeting a judge who will find me guilty;

instead He will embrace me and lead me into the house of His Father

to remain there forever.

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QUOTE…

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"Does your soul not burn with the desire to make your Father-God happy when He has to judge you?"

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– St. Josemaria Escriva

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Lord Jesus, protect me from myself.

Give me a clean heart, Lord, and fill it with Your love.

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