The Liturgy invites us to the virtue of vigilance. It is our duty to guard and protect the life of grace in our souls. But today, our Lord invites us to be vigilant not only about ourselves; He also desires that we be concerned about Holy Church.

Newsroom (12/08/2022 8:00 AM, Gaudium Press) St. Teresa of Avila described very well our journey on this earth: “It is like a night in a bad inn”. Those who have had the misfortune to experience such a situation can confirm that the one thing that reigns there is insecurity. We do not know if, upon entering our room, we will come across some poisonous animal; if it rains at night, it is certain that water may enter through the holes in the ceiling; if some unfortunate thief finds something there that justifies a robbery, he will take everything he wants.

This same instability is the common denominator of every man’s life. Who, after all, can be completely sure about his future? At every moment we are exposed to robberies, accidents, diseases – in short, to all sorts of misfortunes.

Store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven

All this makes us wonder: is it really worth putting all our effort into the things of this world? If, by chance, we manage to reach the end of our existence in good health, without economic disasters, without nuclear wars, one day we will have to pass into eternity. And, as the saying goes, “you cannot take it with you.”. Everything that we gather in our existence remains on this earth, while our soul passes on to eternity.

“We take nothing from this life but the life we lead”, said a famous writer. The phrase is witty, but entirely true. If, then, we wish to have security over our possessions, we must keep them where there is no danger at all that they will be lost:

“Make purses that do not spoil, a treasure in Heaven that does not run out; there the thief does not reach nor the moth corrode. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Lk 12:33-34).

Our Lord is keen to point out the contrast between material and spiritual things. The former are fleeting, uncertain and precarious, while the latter are stable, secure and eternal.

The goods that we accumulate in Heaven are completely secure. They are kept as in an armoured safe, locked away with a thousand keys, in a place that nobody knows, and the keys are in our own hands.

Yes, in our hands. But therein lies the problem… or the solution!

Those keys are the state of grace. May we never leave that state, for that would cause us to lose, in a single instant, all the treasure we have accumulated with a view to Heaven.

You know neither the day nor the hour

“You too, be ready! For the Son of Man is coming in the hour you least expect” (Lk 12:40).

The hour of our departure for eternity has always been set by God; as the saying goes, “No one dies the day before”.

Indeed, it is very rare to have exact knowledge of the moment of one’s own death. In fact, it could not be otherwise, for how many men would lead a vicious life only to be “converted” at the last moment?

It is an act of great goodness on God’s part to hide the hour of our death from us, for we must always be prepared. If, before consenting to a sin, we thought: “What if I were to die now?”, it would certainly be very difficult for us to offend God. We must watch over the good of our soul continually, knowing that we may appear before the Divine Tribunal at any moment.

In this regard, a comment of Saint Thérèse is very apppropriate: “You devote yourselves too much to your occupations; your affairs worry you too much. I read some time ago that the Israelites built the walls of Jerusalem by working with one hand and wielding a sword in the other. Here is an image of what we should do: work with one hand only, reserving the other to defend our soul from the dangers that could impede union with God.”[1]

This is the perfect balance: we must by no means abandon our duties and obligations; but even when engaged in the most important activities, we must never neglect the health of our soul.

Let us also be vigilant for the Church

But perfection does not consist in being concerned only for oneself. The aforementioned comment of Saint Thérèse also applies fully to our relationship with the Church.

At every moment She is under violent attack. In these tragic and grave circumstances, we must do good works with one hand, while the other is occupied in spreading sound doctrine and good morals.

In this defense, each one has his or her role; and we will have a greater or lesser obligation and responsibility according to our state. This is what today’s Gospel says:

“To whom much has been given, much will be demanded; to whom much has been entrusted, much more will be required” (Lk 12:48).

What is certain is this: whatever our position, one day we will be asked for our share.

May we have been vigilant and therefore faithful!

Compiled by Sandra Chisholm