Wednesday, February 7 : Saint John Henry Newman

«Take heed, watch : for you do not know when the time will come» (Mk 13,33)… Let us then consider this most serious question, which concerns every one of us so nearly;—What it is to watch for Christ. He says, “Watch ye therefore, for ye know not when the Master of the house cometh; at even, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning; lest coming suddenly He find you sleeping. And what I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch!” (v.35f)… Many men indeed are open revilers of religion, or at least openly disobey its laws; but let us consider those who are of a more sober and conscientious cast of mind. They have a number of good qualities, and are in a certain sense and up to a certain point religious; but they do not watch… They do not understand that they are called to be strangers and pilgrims upon the earth (Heb 11,13), and that their worldly lot and worldly goods are a sort of accident of their existence, and that they really have no property… Now, it cannot surely be doubted that multitudes in the Church are such as I have been describing, and that they would not, could not, at once welcome our Lord on His coming… It is a most affecting and solemn thought, that he has actually called our attention to this very danger… He warns his disciples of the danger of having their minds drawn off from the thought of him, by whatever cause; he warns them against all excitements, all allurements of this world; he solemnly warns them that the world will not be prepared for his coming, and tenderly intreats of them not to take their portion with the world. He warns them by the instance of the rich man whose soul was required, of the servant who ate and drank (Lk 12,45), and of the foolish virgins (Mt 25,2)… The bridal train is sweeping by,—Angels are there,—the just made perfect are there,—little children, and holy teachers, and white-robed saints, and martyrs washed in blood… : his Bride hath made herself ready (Rv 19,7). She has already attired herself, while we have been sleeping.
maronite readings – rosary,team