In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives the apostles two examples of what it means to be vigilantly prepared for his coming: realize who you are, live a morally virtuous life. Conclusion: No time-off exceptions. Such is the lesson for me.
Such advice flows from the fact that Jesus is constantly with me in whatever I say or do. He not at my side just at Mass or when I am saying a rosary, but when I am doing my daily work, all alone or laid-back mellowing out with others. He is there without compromising my particular activities, just asking me to remember why he has created me and placed me where I am, and to be involved in his mission.
St. Luke tells Jesus once chose 72 men and women to go out and prepare people they would encounter for Jesus’ arrival in their lives. Those sent didn’t know how they were going to do it, but they followed his criptic directions and were overjoyed at the result.
I must often ask Him to remind me of that event so that I will become more aware that whatever my vocation in life is, I am called to participate in his mission to bring the Gospel to others by prayer, words and action. But can I do that if I am not aware that he is with me to work out the details?
Resolved: I shall pray that all members of the Church are called to make Christ present in the world today, and I shall especially pray that more young men respond to the Lord’s invitation to make him present in a special way: by making the sacraments of Penance and the Holy Eucharist present for others.