Pray always because God listens always!

Luke 21:25-28.34-36

“And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. 26 People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory. 28 So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near. 34 “Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, 35 like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. 36 Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to stand with confidence before the Son of Man.

Food for thought!

We had already this reading this week; and now we have it again. Why? It is because last week was the end of Year B; and today we begin year C. Last week we were ending; now we are beginning.

The 1st Sunday of Advent, marks the beginning of a new liturgical year. Today we move from the year of Mark (B) to the year of Luke (C). In fact, today's gospel is Luke's version of the gospel we read two weeks ago from Mark. And since in every end there's a beginning, and in every beginning there's already an end, the same reading is being used again, but from Luke.

Comparing Mark 13:24-32 with Luke 21:25ff which we are reading this Sunday, we see that Luke has left out all the spectacular sky events which Mark associated with the Last Days: "the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven" (Mark 12:24f). Luke rewrites this with more restraint: "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars" (Luke 21:25). Again, Luke leaves out altogether Mark's idea that the Son of Man "will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven" (Mark 13:27).

Why does Luke leave out these easily observable and verifiable forecasts in Mark? For one thing, unlike Mark, whose attention was on the ending, Luke's concern is on the beginning. The two, Mark and Luke are talking about the same reality (same as, bottle half empty and half full).

As Winston Churchill was noted: "This is not the end. This is not the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." He is saying what Jesus says in today's gospel: "when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near." Jesus is coaching us by telling us how to face adversities and problems and crises of life and living. It is by prayer.

Why prayer? Because prayer takes us beyond the present turmoil, problem, and suffering; prayer is communion between God and a person. In truth, you cannot afford not to pray! When you pray, you move away from outer human personality into the great individuality within, which is the real you. We arestrongest when we pray and we are weakest when we neglect prayer.Your times of prayer are “food for the soul” and can work wonders in your life. One important thing to remember is that prayer may not change God, but it certainly will change your attitude about God, about life and living and about our problems.

Prayer is like dialing a number on your telephone. It can be the conscious connection you make with God. You call; God answers! Did you notice that Jesus calls us to pray without ceasing? Why pray all the time? It is because our Father listens to us all the time; it is because God is always awake to our prayers and our needs So pray all the time because our Father listens all the time This what Psalm 121 says:
Shall I look to the mountain gods for help? No! My help is from Jehovah who made the mountains! And the heavens too! He will never let me stumble, slip, or fall. For he is always watching, never sleeping. Jehovah himself is caring for you! He is your defender. He protects you day and night. He keeps you from all evil and preserves your life. He keeps his eye upon you as you come and go and always guards you.