Keep Awake – Reflection on Mark 13:33-37
From a spiritual perspective, to “keep awake” has more meaning than when our life will end but also when Christ might need us for something. Are you able to recognize His extremely subtle request in our worldly din? Do you have experiences of knowing Jesus has a momentary task for you, such as praying for someone or being silently present? With practice, you can perceive Jesus ordinarily gently touching your soul, which combines with intuitive sensing of a need. You may already know that what is needed is not for your benefit other than joy knowing you did so. Often, consolations give you great joy when you keep awake, but they can go away because they are designed to alert you. If are receiving consolations, be aware it is possible you may eventually not need them. In the teachings of prayer by John of the Cross and Theresa of Avila, it is possible to always be awake without prompting. You have not lost God’s presence but rather gained because God sees that your human and divine natures are spiritually ready for anything.
The Exhortation to the Apostles by James Tissot (high resolution image of painting).
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Mark 13:33-37 – Scripture*
33 Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. 35 Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, 36 or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Mark 13:33-37 Reflection – Keep Awake.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative prayer style, others might appreciate these expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible Mark 13 passage.
The Immersive Prayer website follows the guidelines for image web use at the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum websites.
Page and discussion group on these Lectio Divina daily Gospel Readings.
Discussion group on St. John of the Cross.