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Are you awake?” our mother inquires while knocking on the bedroom door, making sure we are ready for school.
“Are you awake?” our spouse asks when our eyes close halfway through a movie.
“Are you awake?” we ask a friend who sounds as though she is asleep when she answers the phone in the middle of the afternoon.
Are you awake? It’s a question we ask and respond to often.
Jesus had one request of the disciples while waiting in Gethsemane on the eve of his crucifixion: Can you stay awake? The disciples could not. Are we any different? Are we awake—ready for the day of the Lord? Paul encourages the Thessalonians to stay awake because no one knows when Jesus will return.
How awake are you?
Do you remember the first time you were awakened, roused to the place where you started to comprehend and accept Jesus’ love and mercy? To be awakened is to see and sense Christ’s presence at work in your life. But to stay awake requires that we respond to his grace with our whole being, allowing ourselves to be transformed into the image and likeness of Christ.
We all have tricks for how to stay awake: drink extra caffeine, stretch our legs, go outside. But do we know how to remain awake for Jesus?
We stay awake each time we repent of our sin, turning away from our ways and turning toward Christ’s ways. From what do you need to turn away?
We stay awake each time we let go of old habits. Paul names drunkenness as an example. What do you need to let go of?
We stay awake each time we practice acts of love and mercy. How can you offer love or mercy to the people around you today?

Creating God, awaken us to your presence in our lives and help us stay awake always. Amen.

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Leer Matthew 25:14-30

Matthew 25:14-30

¹⁴ “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who was leaving on a trip. He called his servants and handed his possessions over to them. ¹⁵ To one he gave five valuable coins, and to another he gave two, and to another he gave one. He gave to each servant according to that servant’s ability. Then he left on his journey. ¹⁶ “After the man left, the servant who had five valuable coins took them and went to work doing business with them. He gained five more. ¹⁷ In the same way, the one who had two valuable coins gained two more. ¹⁸ But the servant who had received the one valuable coin dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money. ¹⁹ “Now after a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. ²⁰ The one who had received five valuable coins came forward with five additional coins. He said, ‘Master, you gave me five valuable coins. Look, I’ve gained five more.’ ²¹ “His master replied, ‘Excellent! You are a good and faithful servant! You’ve been faithful over a little. I’ll put you in charge of much. Come, celebrate with me.’ ²² “The second servant also came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two valuable coins. Look, I’ve gained two more.’ ²³ “His master replied, ‘Well done! You are a good and faithful servant. You’ve been faithful over a little. I’ll put you in charge of much. Come, celebrate with me.’ ²⁴ “Now the one who had received one valuable coin came and said, ‘Master, I knew that you are a hard man. You harvest grain where you haven’t sown. You gather crops where you haven’t spread seed. ²⁵ So I was afraid. And I hid my valuable coin in the ground. Here, you have what’s yours.’ ²⁶ “His master replied, ‘You evil and lazy servant! You knew that I harvest grain where I haven’t sown and that I gather crops where I haven’t spread seed? ²⁷ In that case, you should have turned my money over to the bankers so that when I returned, you could give me what belonged to me with interest. ²⁸ Therefore, take from him the valuable coin and give it to the one who has ten coins. ²⁹ Those who have much will receive more, and they will have more than they need. But as for those who don’t have much, even the little bit they have will be taken away from them. ³⁰ Now take the worthless servant and throw him outside into the darkness.’ “People there will be weeping and grinding their teeth.

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Leccionario Semanal

November 13–19, 2017

Resumen de la Escritura

In the book of Judges, we find a woman confidently leading a patriarchal nation as though it were an everyday occurrence. The psalm reminds us that the need for mercy reduces each and every one to a posture of outstretched hands and upturned eyes. To sing such a song on the way to worship, as was traditionally done, is to prepare the mind and heart for the possibility of whatever blessing may be given upon arrival. In First Thessalonians we overhear an apostle’s exhortation to live openly and expectantly regarding God’s future revelation—alert to the coming of Christ but also aware that Christ may come in sudden and unanticipated ways. Finally, a parable in Matthew runs counter to our instincts to safeguard that which we treasure, challenging us to consider the ways in which faithfulness involves a strange coupling of risk and reward.

Preguntas para la reflexión

• Read Judges 4:1-7. Reread the last paragraph of Monday’s meditation and reflect on the writer’s two questions.
• Read Psalm 123. How do you address God? Is God more “enthroned above” for you, or “right here in [your] midst”?
• Read 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11. The writer states, “We stay awake each time we practice acts of love and mercy.” When have you felt divinely awakened by an act of love?
• Read Matthew 25:14-30. Identify ways you take risks in your life presently. Do any of these risks relate to living out your faith?

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1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Matthew 25:14-30

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