Awake

Matthew 24:42-51

“Blessed that servant if the master’s arrival finds her/him awake!”

She is an ordinary person. For some days in the week she takes care of the people in a presbytery. She takes care not only of the people, but also of the house, the plants, the cat, and those who ring the door-bell. Part of her time she cooks in a Franciscan community. When you see her she will always ask whether you would like a cup of coffee. She attends many of the liturgical services. She often acts as the sacristan, and when there is no Mass server she will do that too. She is a member of the Legion of Mary, a very active member who not only comes to the weekly meetings but also visits people in the neighborhood, and saves money to go on apostolic tours during her holidays. She doesn’t go as a tourist, but goes for apostolic reasons. Sitting in a park or at a station she will ask passersby whether they have ever heard the story of Jesus. Does people listen to her? “Oh, yes,” she says, “They do!”

The priest in the presbytery where she works says, “She is always doing something for God.” And she is! She is the kind of person Jesus would call “Blessed!” Not because of something that is going to happen to her afterward in the life to come, but she is blessed here and now. You can see it in the smile of her face and the way she asks you whether you are sure that you don’t want that cup of coffee. She is a person more awake than others, and that is how her Master will find her, we can be sure.

Yes, you do meet her very often. She does not have a name, or rather a single name. You find her in your family, or in the parish. You many find her in your neighbourhood or in a shop nearby. She may be the poorest person you must have met, but with the greatest happiness perhaps. She may be a Christian or she may belong to any religion, or perhaps to no religion. You love to be around such a person, who radiates joy, and gives full attention to you.

We find such ordinary persons who are fully awake in our day to day lives. They teach and inspire us many things, but surely how to be awake. They teach us how to be present here and now. There is no hurry. They teach us to meet God here and now.

Or where else can you find Him?