Scripture: Mark 13:33-37 — Jesus said, “Be on your guard, stay awake … Stay awake … What I am saying to you I say to all, Stay awake!”
Exhortation: In times of hopelessness or high emotions, we might give in to thinking like others. We might reach for wrong solutions; we might take up arms; we might want revenge. Or we might give in to cynicism, hopelessness, and despair. Maybe we start to look after only ourselves: “How can I take advantage of this situation and grab power from others for my own benefit.” When Jesus says, “Be on your guard. Stay alert … Keep awake,” he’s telling us not to do this. Instead, we remain faithful and continue to put our trust in him and in the Divine whose presence he has brought to us. There will be a fulfillment of the things of which he spoke. The kingdom of God will come. It is, in fact, already here, in secret, emerging everyday among us, if we just keep alert and remain faithful, or as Paul says, “stand firm.” Stay awake. Don’t let grace, when it comes, find you sleeping. For the holy ones, this is what it means to be “woke.” Grace comes suddenly when we least expect it. Be ready for it.
