The following words of Saint John Henry Cardinal Newman come to mind: He imagines Jesus saying:
“…few will open to me immediately, when I knock. They will have something to do first, they will
have to get ready. They will have to recover from the surprise and confusion which overtake them
on the first news of my coming, and will need time to collect themselves, and summon about them
their better thoughts and affections. They feel themselves very well off as they are; and wish to
serve God as they are. They are satisfied to remain on earth; they do not wish to move; they do not
wish to change.” Christ comes at an hour one does not expect. If we have to hesitate every time
Christ comes, we’ll never be ready. If we have to wipe the sleep from our eyes every time He calls,
we will never be fully awake. Preparedness is a daily event. This is the message of the Gospel for this
Sunday. As the Psalm says, and as we could well pray: “My spirit within me keeps vigil for You.”