Memorial of Saint Monica
Jesus gives us a very direct and specific order in today's Gospel. Stay Awake! Do not give up! I think this Gospel can be read in terms of us no longer staying vigilant and getting distracted but I think it can also be read in terms of us giving up on the world and falling asleep to the prospect of Christ's return. We need to stay awake, stay alert, stay committed. If we are not awake to welcome the Lord, we leave the door open for the devil.
Through this parable, he is telling us to stay alert, stay vigilant and do not give up faith - no matter how exhausting and trying this may seem. Christ does not only mean this in terms of literal wakefulness, but also in the wakefulness of our spirit. He does not want us to grow apathetic or to simply allow life to pass us by. We must be active participants in bringing about the kingdom. This takes commitment, diligence and patience.
St. Monica, whose feast we celebrate today, is a wonderful example of this attribute. Through her vigilant attention and constant prayer, she was committed to the conversion of her husband, mother-in-law and most famously her son, Augustine. She knew that she could not "sleep" on them. She knew that they needed attention, time and prayer. But her task was not an easy one - it made her tired and worn out - much as it may make us.
In our Gospel, the servant knew not when the master would return. In much the same way, Monica did not know when the Lord's grace would transform the hearts of those close to her. Although it seemed long and arduous, she had to continue to pray, love and guide them. In the same way, the Lord does not want us to give up in bringing about his kingdom. He does not want us to grow weary, to become apathetic or to give up.
There are times where our world seems so far from God's kingdom - the recent shooting of a reporter on live TV comes to mind - but even in those times, God does not want us to give up. We need to stay awake, to continue to spread God's kingdom. How sad it would be for the Master (God) to return to find us all asleep, paralyzed by the despair that this world will never change. Stay awake! Stay active! And join in the feast when our heavenly master returns! Amen.
Amanda Grimm