Repeatedly Jesus invites us to pay attention and keep watch. The immediate, the now, this present moment is what we are given. Yet we are easily distracted from giving our whole attention to it.
What gift does the present moment hold for us? Jesus beckons us to receive the ever giving gift of the present moment. Jean-Pierre de Caussade calls this gift the Sacrament of the Present Moment.
What makes the present moment holy, set apart for you? Where do you find the courage to pay attention to it with reverence? Can I be present to myself or another in the moment, noticing Christ’s presence within it?
Be patient and kind to yourself as you unwrap the gift.
Mark 13:32-37 (MSG)
“But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven’s angels, not even the Son. Only the Father. So keep a sharp lookout, for you don’t know the timetable. It’s like a man who takes a trip, leaving home and putting his servants in charge, each assigned a task, and commanding the gatekeeper to stand watch. So, stay at your post, watching. You have no idea when the homeowner is returning, whether evening, midnight, cockcrow, or morning. You don’t want him showing up unannounced, with you asleep on the job. I say it to you, and I’m saying it to all: Stay at your post. Keep watch.”
For Reflection and Prayer:
As you listened to or read the text, was there a word or phrase which “shimmered” for you? Have a conversation with Jesus about what you heard.
Where or when have you been most aware of the presence of God, within you or around you? Upon reflection, what do you notice about that time?
What helps you or encourages you to stay present, attentive and watching for Jesus? What do you notice when you watch?
Do you notice what distracts you from the present moment? Sometimes, simply naming the sources of distraction can be a starting place to become more present.