Twenty-Second Tuesday of Ordinary Time

For all of you are children of the light and children of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness. Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us stay alert and sober. For God did not destine us for wrath, but to gain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live together with him. Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, as indeed you do.

Our faith is one built upon vigilance. Vigilance in awaiting the return of Jesus Christ. Vigilance in mastering our bodies and passions. Vigilance in doing good and avoiding evil. We can never let down our guard against temptation, sin, or selfishness. Our vigilance requires a great deal of self-disciple and grace from God. We gain these best through prayer, seeking guidance from trusted people, mortification, almsgiving, and all those spiritual practices that help us to be holy people and true followers of Christ.

Are we being vigilant in our faith lives? How can we improve our self-discipline? What can we do to encourage others to be vigilant in their lives, too?

O Lord, help us to stay alert and sober in our faith.

Amen.