A WORD FOR TODAY 7 AUGUST 2022

*A WORD FOR TODAY*

*STAY AWAKE AND BE READY AS YOU WAIT FOR THE LORD*

_“Let your loins be girded and your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the marriage feast, so that they may open to him at once when he comes and knocks"(Luke 12:35-36)_

_*It is always a discomforting and embarrassing situation when someone who is given an advanced knowledge of a meeting or examination for up to two months, comes to the venue unprepared and expects to have a wonderful presentation or to write well.*_

_A good preparation is fundamental in whatever success you want to achieve in life. If you prepare well and deliver well, success is bound to come, but if you you fail to prepare and expect a miracle to happen like magic, then you are simply deceiving yourself and you have simply prepared to fail from the very beginning._

_*The gospel reading of today is a continuation from the admonition we received from Jesus last Sunday about being heavenly minded. We have a goal, we have a target and for us to reach our target, we must stay focused and avoid distraction. It is like driving a car, you set out to go to a place, you have a route to follow, but if you lose conciousness and get distracted on the way, you will follow another path thay will take you to where you have not planned to go to.*_

_Jesus tells his disciples to stay awake and be ready for the coming of the Son of man. We do not know when He will come, but we must be ready at all times so that His coming will not meet us unready and unprepared._

_*To stay awake is to consciously know who you are in Christ, why you are here on earth, what the Lord wants you to do and be able to do them very well without letting anyone, place or thing distract you from the prize and the goal before you.(God made us to know Him, love Him, serve Him and to live with Him joyfully in heaven)*_

_To stay awake and be ready you must gird your loins and let your lamp be burning. Your lamp burns and your light shines when you use your gifts and possessions to do charity and help the less privileged as the gospel reading tells us. When you pray and use the fruits of your prayer to show some kindness, forgive the sins of others, help the weak to become strong and draw others closer to Jesus. You must do good so as to provide treasure for yourself in heaven where thieves cannot steal and moth cannot destroy._

_*We must wait with hope and faith in God, that the coming of the Lord will bring us the peace, serenity, tranquility, happiness and eternal joy we have always desired. If we are ready and awake when the master returns, He will serve us a banquet and reward us. Pray that your faith increase and that you trust God at all times because where He is preparing for us is better than here, (John 14:1-6) but you must live well here on (earth) so as to be able to be admitted into heaven at the return of the master.*_

_The challenges of this life may be much, the turbulence of this life may be great, the troubles of this life can be frustrating and disheartening, but your faith in God will keep you going until you overcome. Much has been given to us by God and much will be required of us in the end, therefore, avoid evil and keep doing good and in the end you will be rewarded greatly by the God who loves us specially and wants the best for you._

_*Good morning dearest one. Smile😊as you do your work and do have a magnificent Sunday. May Jesus give you the grace to stay awake and strive to be ready for the coming of the Son of man. And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.*_

*Meditation:* Wisdom 18:6-9/Psalm 33:1,12,18-20/Hebrews 11:1-2,8-19/Luke 12:32-48

*Watch-Word:* Watch therefore, and be ready; the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

*If you choose to follow Jesus, many things will work against you, but He will never abandon you, instead, He will help you to conquer them all.*

(Nineteenth Sunday in the ordinary time, Cycle C)

*© Rev. Fr. Augustine Eleke*