Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus, my king and master, please help me be alert to your presence in my life. Grant me greater faith, hope and love so that I may recognize the acts of your provident hands and be faithful to your will.

Petition: Lord Jesus, you told your disciples to keep watch and stay alert. These words are also for me. Help me to stay vigilant and on the watch to receive you in the many ways in which you make yourself present in my life.

Gospel: Mk 13:33-37

Jesus said to his disciples:" Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. 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. 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, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake."

1.  Keep Alert.

Lord Jesus, your words are a wake-up call, and I thank you for your message. I thank you for your message because it reminds me how important it is for me to keep awake, that is, to live my Christian life in a state of healthy tension. This tension doesn't mean frustration or anxiety of any sort, but rather a constant desire to explore more deeply my relationship with you. I thank you for your message because it summons me to vigilance; I am staying awake and active for you, and more importantly with you. Please, Lord, grant me the grace to be always near you so that when you, the master of the house, come suddenly, you will find me attentive and eager to welcome you.

2.  You Do Not Know When the Master of the House Will Come.

.Lord Jesus, this Gospel drives home an important point: I am not in control of my life. I often make the mistake of thinking that I have everything together and under control. It is not so. Help me to surrender the reins of my life into your hands. Help me truly to accept you as the only Lord and Master of my life. If I can accept that my life is really in your hands with faith, then what evil can befall me? With you, all things are possible. You come to me in so many hidden ways in my life, but do I always receive you? You are present as my neighbor, his needs are your needs, what I do to him I do to you but do I always recognize you? Do I always serve you?

3.  When He Comes Will I Be Asleep?

You invite me to change, to be more aware of your presence in my life. You invite me to ask for pardon in the sacrament of reconciliation. By recognizing you and receiving you in these many ways you come out to meet me I will be more prepared for the definitive moment of my death, that very special face-to-face encounter with you. If I am ready and receive you in every moment, that final encounter will not catch me unprepared or unawares. Help me to live my life with an eye to the afterlife and conform my every action so that I may be welcomed into eternal life with you.

Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, my life is nothing but a fleeting moment. Help me to always remember that to live with you forever in heaven; I must live on earth completely united with you.

Questionnaire:  This optional questionnaire is intended to help you examine your life in the light of the inspirations God just gave you in these moments you shared with him. 

1. What are some of the many ways in which Christ comes to meet me in my everyday life?

2. How can I focus on living my life more for eternity and less just for this day?

3. What one thing would Christ have me change or do on a daily basis in order to stay united to him throughout my day?