“Stay Awake”

 

Readings 112425

My daughters love to send me pictures
of my grandchildren asleep in the car after a big day.

Trips to our house.
Athletic events.
The carnival.
Birthday parties.

They’ve gone all out—
given all their energy,
all their attention—
and as soon as the ride home begins,
they are out like a light.

I treasure those photos.
Five grandchildren,
all ages, all sizes,
worn out from joy and experience.

But I wonder…
does this happen to us in our faith?
Do we pour ourselves into moments of devotion,
into service, into prayer—
only to grow weary,
to drift off,
to lose our vigilance?

Jesus says: Stay awake!
For you do not know the hour
when the Son of Man will come.

And then He points to the widow.
Two small coins in her hand.
Her whole livelihood in her gift.
Others gave from their surplus.
She gave from her poverty.
She gave her heart.

Her offering was not a burst of energy
followed by collapse.
It was steady trust.
Complete surrender.
A life awake to God.

To stay awake is to live like her:
trusting God completely,
holding nothing back,
offering love, mercy, hope.

So when Christ comes—
may He find us not asleep in comfort,
but awake in generosity,
awake in faith,
awake in witness.

Alleluia.

Prayer
Lord Jesus,
you call us to stay awake—
not with fear,
but with faith.

When we grow weary,
renew our spirit.
When we drift off,
call us gently back.

May we be found awake in love,
awake in mercy,
awake in witness—
ready for your coming,
and faithful in your presence.

Amen.