Daily reflection _ be vigilant at all times and pray

"BE VIGILANT AT ALL TIMES AND PRAY"
We need to be fully awake, alive, alert, attentive, and on the move doing God's good work during this season of Advent.  
Deacon John Ruscheinsky
Until Jesus Christ comes again we can expect difficulties, trials and temptations. We need to ask Jesus to rekindle the fire of God's love in you and me so that we will be ready and eager to meet Him when He comes again in all His glory. Luke's Gospel for this final day of Ordinary Time prepares us for tomorrow's First Sunday of Advent - the new Church year! The words of the Gospel serve as a warning: "Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy" (Lk 21:34a) and assures us that being couch potatoes is not our Advent agenda.
We need to be fully awake, alive, alert, attentive, and on the move doing God's good work during this season of Advent. The things to be on guard against are "carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life" (Lk 21:34b), which are unacceptable to our heavenly Father, not only during Advent but throughout the year. Our journey towards another Christmas brings us cheer, but what kind of cheer do we have? Our cheer should come from the Holy Spirit, not from spirits. The challenges of daily life are better dealt with through prayer and patience than by trying to drink them away.
"Be vigilant at all times and pray," Jesus tells us. Advent is our wake-up call for better listening, understanding, and action during the busy days before Christmas. Our challenge is to stand straight and tall before the Lord, the Son of Man who comes to bring us hope, peace and healing and leads us to eternal life with Him.