 |
||||||
Jesus
said, “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy
from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and
that day
catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone
who lives
on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that
you have
the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand
before
the Son of
|
||||||
The
song "Viva La Vida" by Coldplay is an interesting song to study. The
first verse establishes the setting: "I
used to rule the world, seas would rise when I gave the word. Now
in the morning I sleep alone, sweep the
streets I used to own." Then
the group goes on
to explain what this person, this king in the song, had and what
happened: "Listen as the crowd would sing, 'Now the old king is dead.'
One minute I held the key, next the walls
were closed on me, and I discovered that my castle stands upon pillars
of salt,
and pillars of sand." Then they sing a refrain
that puts this downfall into poetry: "I hear
|
||||||
|
Speaking
either about the end of the world or our deaths, whatever comes first,
Jesus
warns his followers
that they must not allow their hearts to become drowsy, that is, that
the
addictions and anxieties of life should not cloud our minds. If our
hearts become drowsy, when the end comes, we may not be in the proper
frame of mind to receive the Lord. Instead, the Lord reminds us to "be
vigilant."
The group Coldplay in their song "Viva La Vida" sings that no matter what happens, we still have to "live the life," the title of their song in English. The group sings about a life change--the person in the song used to rule the world, but now he rules no one; in fact, he must work at a menial task to make a living. Perhaps a love relationship failed for some reason. He knows that things change, especially when one's existence is built upon pillars of salt and sand. Without saying it, then, he says that he has to do the best he can, given the circumstances. One "lives the life" when one is rich and powerful, and likewise one "lives the life" when one is poor and a slave of someone else. He implies that whatever happens, one must be prepared to work with the situation. Jesus would say--be vigilant. Christians believe that there will come a time when we must give an accounting for the life that we have lived on earth. Was that life one of selfishness? Did we care about others? Did we build our lives on pillars of rock or pillars of sand? How did we adjust to the changes? We must live our lives--viva la vida--no matter what our circumstances, as best we can. |
||||||
|
THOUGHT
Using a single phrase,
how would you describe your life up to this point?
PRAYER Good
and gracious
God, your Son warned us to be vigilant while we are here on earth so
that we may be prepared to meet you at our earthly deaths. Give us the
grace to live our lives the best that we can. Be with
us,
we pray.
|
||||||
©2007
Capuchin Province of Mid-America
Fr. Mike Scully is a member of the Capuchin Province of Mid-America |