A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 21:34-36)
Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Today’s Gospel acclamation summarizes the few words of Jesus from today’s Gospel: “Be vigilant at all times and pray that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.” Jesus tells his disciples to keep their hearts from becoming drowsy by avoiding two seemingly unrelated behaviors: carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life. Both draw attention away from God: carousing and drunkenness, by outright rejection of reason; and the anxieties of daily life, by their pervasiveness and constant insistence that God will not supply what we need when we need it.
God, help me understand today’s Gospel. In speaking to the disciples, Jesus wants to guard not only their hearts but mine here and now against things in this life that would turn my gaze away from you. Your Son, who knew firsthand the anxieties of daily life, is my example and testifies on his own behalf through his life, death, and resurrection. Give me the grace to trust in your ways and be vigilant at all times. Keep me alert to your presence, Lord!
From the responsorial psalm: “Holy men of humble heart, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever. Give glory and eternal praise to him.”
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.