34th Week in Ord. Time, Saturday – 27th November 2021 — Gospel: Lk 21,34-36
Admonitions for followers
In contrasting terms, Jesus reminds his followers the battle between good and evil. He once again exhorts his disciples to “be on guard” and to “be alert”. To “be on guard” is a recurrent warning (Lk 12,40.45; Mk 4,19; Mt 24,42-44) and is the major thrust of Jesus’ eschatological teachings, which means: 1) be ready; 2) be watching and 3) be active in my service. In order to be on guard, Jesus lists out three specific behaviours that will seriously impede our holiness: dissipation, drunkenness, and worries of this life. If we commit these faults rarely, even though we cut off ourselves from God, we can possibly return to establish our relationship with God with sincere repentance. If we repeat these sins insensibly that weakens the fear of God, hardens the conscience, forms evil attachments and habits, gives fresh strength to the temptations of the enemy of our salvation, nourishes and develops the passions. These specific evils cause the dullness of mind and heart that fail to grasp the signs and significance of Jesus’ coming. It is better therefore to follow Paul’s advice, who exhorts in similar terms, “be on your guard, stand firm in faith, be courageous, be strong” ( 1 Cor 16:13).
