December 2000

We find this invitation in the context of Luke's announcement of Jesus' second coming, which will take place when we least expect it. He will come for the created universe, but also for us, when we die, that is, when each one of us comes face to face with the Lord.
Jesus repeats the words, “Be vigilant and pray”, in the Garden of Olives, in order to prepare his disciples for the scandal of his passion.
We could say then that these few words hold the key for facing the most dramatic events of life, but also the inevitable trials of our everyday living.
Vigilance and prayer are mutually indispensable: we cannot be vigilant without prayer, nor can we pray without being spiritually awake. From the early days of the first ascetics who lived in the desert, people sought every means to combine these two virtues so that no temptation would take them by surprise. And many means were devised so as to remain in this attitude of vigilance and prayer.
But for us who are immersed in the frenetic, sweeping pace of modern life, how can we possibly hope not to be allured by so many “siren songs”? And yet these words of the Gospel are meant for us too…

«Be vigilant at all times and pray.»

Jesus cannot ask us to do something that is beyond our capabilities, not even in times like ours. Along with this exhortation, he must necessarily show us how to live in accordance with his word.
So then, how can we stay awake and be on guard, how can we always have a prayerful attitude? We might have made every effort to close ourselves to the outside world as a defense against everything and everyone. But this is not the way, and it doesn't take long to realize that sooner or later we just have to give in.
The way to take can be found in the Gospel and in human experience itself. When you love someone, your heart is vigilant, always waiting for that person; every minute that passes is spent for that person's sake, watching and waiting. A person who loves stays awake. Staying awake is characteristic of love.
We learn this also from the parable of the wise and foolish virgins. Those who are waiting for the one they love stay awake. It's not an effort for them to stay awake because their love is stronger than anything else and it keeps them on their feet, ready for the moment they will meet the one they love.
Similarly, when family members are apart, they look forward to being together again. And their jubilant greeting contains all they did with joy during the day.
Think of a mother or father assisting a son who is ill. When they take a few moments to rest, they fall asleep, but their heart watches.
This is the attitude of those who love Jesus. They do everything for his sake. They encounter him every moment in the simple expressions of his will and they will encounter him solemnly when he comes. Moreover, the liturgy this month prepares us for a heart-felt prayer, rich with expectation, with gifts, with the Gift: the birth of Jesus on earth, as we celebrate his coming at the beginning of the third millennium.

«Be vigilant at all times and pray.»

Also constant prayer is a question of love, because aside from the moments devoted to prayer, the whole of our daily life can become prayer, offering, a silent conversation with God.
That smile to give, that task to carry out, that car to drive, that meal to prepare, that activity to organize, those tears to shed for a brother or sister who is suffering, that instrument to play, that article or letter to write, that happy event to share cheerfully, that dress to clean… If we do everything, everything out of love, everything can become a prayer.
In order to be vigilant, to pray always, it is necessary to be anchored in love: that is, to love God's will and every neighbor he puts beside us.
I really want to try to love today. By doing so, I will be “vigilant at all times and pray”.

Chiara Lubich