Find a comfortable position.
Sit or stand with your spine gently upright.
Let your hands rest easily.
If it's comfortable for you,
Close your eyes.
Take a slow,
Deep breath in through your nose and gently exhale through your mouth.
Again,
Inhale peace,
Exhale tension.
With each breath,
Allow the noise of the day to fade away.
You are here.
You are present.
You are with God.
Now bring to mind the words of Jesus from Matthew's Gospel,
Chapter 24,
Verse 36 and 42.
And Jesus said,
But of that day and hour,
No one knows,
Neither the angels of heaven nor the Son,
But the Father alone.
Therefore,
Stay awake,
For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.
Let these words echo quietly within you.
Notice any initial feelings you may have.
Curiosity,
Discomfort,
Calm,
Resistance.
Do not judge these feelings.
Simply notice them.
Jesus speaks not to frighten,
But to awaken.
Not to predict,
But to prepare.
In the Gospel,
Jesus compares the coming of the Son of Man to ordinary people going about ordinary lives,
Eating,
Drinking,
Working,
And resting.
Notice how holiness is not described as withdrawal from daily life,
But attentiveness within it.
Ask yourself gently,
What does readiness look like in my ordinary days?
Not perfection,
Not anxiety,
But awareness.
Let this question rest in your heart without forcing an answer.
Jesus says,
Keep awake.
This is not about losing sleep.
It is about being spiritually alert.
Quietly ask yourself,
Where in my life am I awake and attentive to God?
Where have I grown distracted,
Comfortable,
Or numb?
What do I postpone,
Assuming there will always be more time?
Allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate,
Not accuse.
God's light reveals so that we may live more freely.
Breathe in grace.
Breathe out fear.
Jesus reminds us that we do not control the hour,
And that is not a burden.
It is a release.
You are not asked to manage the future.
You are asked only to live faithfully now.
Offer God one intention,
A desire to live today with greater love,
Honesty,
And attention.
Pray silently,
Lord,
Help me live ready,
Not afraid,
But faithful.
Rest in that prayer.
As this meditation comes to a close,
Return to your breath.
Inhale deeply.
Exhale slowly.
Hear Jesus' final invitation again.
Therefore,
You also must be ready.
Not ready with fear,
Ready with trust,
Ready with love.
When you feel you are ready,
Gently open your eyes and carry this awareness into the rest of your day.
God meets you not only at the end of time,
But in every present moment of your life.
Thank you for joining me today.
God bless you.
