The Gospel today, my brothers and sisters, paints a vivid picture: “Let your loins be girded and your lamps burning.” This is a powerful ca...
The Gospel today, my brothers and sisters, paints a vivid picture: “Let your loins be girded and your lamps burning.” This is a powerful call to Readiness—to live each moment alert and prepared for the Master's arrival, whether that be at the end of the age or at the end of our own life.
This preparation isn't about frantic activity; it's about inner transformation. The first reading from Romans tells us that our hope for eternal life comes not from our own works, but from the gift of Righteousness given to us through Jesus Christ. Where Adam's disobedience brought sin and death, Christ's obedience brought grace and life. To be ready is to live this new life of Righteousness, freed from sin's reign and living under grace.
We can learn how to live this prepared life from St. Hilarion. As one of the early Desert Fathers, he knew the importance of Retreat. His life in the solitude of the desert was not an escape from the world, but a profound commitment to prayer and sacrifice to stay constantly vigilant and focused on God. He lived with his spiritual lamps burning brightly.
We may not be called to the desert, but we are called to build a 'desert' of intentional prayer and reflection in our hearts. We are called to imitate the Righteousness of Christ, accepting his abundant grace. Let us take a moment each day for a spiritual Retreat, to check our Readiness, so that when our Master comes and knocks, we may open to him immediately and be counted among the blessed servants. Amen.
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