Luke 21, 34-36

‘Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.’

Wow....the message of today's assigned lesson could be restated as "You better watch out!" (Do you remember hearing people singing those words when you were young?) The children of faith know that much more is at stake than the childhood myth of "Santa Claus is coming to town". Being good is not the primary admonition here, because we know that our human condition will always limit how "good" we can be....if we rely upon our own power of discipline or self control.

We are reminded this day to be watchful! We are to be attentive to the way we can be so trapped by the myriad of pain (worries) or pleasures (drunkenness) of the world that we don't notice the revelation of Christ. We are reminded that the powers of the world delight in placing blinders upon the eyes and ears of our hearts so that the light of God's presence is muted, avoided or entirely missed....much like a person suffering a hangover shies away from (or loses) the brillance of a sunrise or the morning song of the lark.

Perhaps on this last day before Advent I can examine once again the various worries or indulgences that might be weighing me down. Perhaps I can be totally honest about the inability I have to set them aside on my own. By doing so I can activate or excite my soul's awareness...in other words, I can "be on guard".

I hear today's lesson loud and clear. I pray that I can "watch out" for whatever it is that blinds me to Christ. I pray that I can be poised for all opportunities to lean into and upon Christ. Today I claim the hope to stand before Him in the midst of the world's temptations and cling to the potential for love and wholeness that is possible ONLY through Him.

Listen!

Luke 21, 34-36

‘Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.’

Do you hear what I hear?