Being Awake in the Third Watch of Life

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Twenty Ninth Week:  Tuesday*

*Gospel :  Luke 12: 35-38*

*First Reading : Ephesians 2:12-22*

*Responsorial Psalm : 85: 9-14*

*Being Awake in the Third Watch of Life*

*1) What does it mean to be awake in life?*

Being awake does not simply mean keeping our eyes open. A person may be physically awake but spiritually asleep. We can be busy with our daily activities and yet fail to recognise God's presence, the needs of others and the purpose of our lives.

To be awake in life means:

- *To be spiritually awake* : to remain close to God through prayer, faith and the Word of God.

- *To be morally awake* : to recognise the difference between right and wrong and choose what is good.

- *To be socially awake* : to notice the suffering of the poor, the lonely, the sick and the neglected.

- *To be emotionally awake* : to recognise the feelings of others and respond with compassion.

- *To be personally awake* : to examine our lives honestly and recognise where we need to change.

- *To be eternally awake* : to remember that life is a gift and that we must be ready to meet the Lord.

*Reflection:* It is possible to be awake to the world but asleep to God. We may know what is happening in politics, business and social media, yet fail to notice what is happening in our own hearts.

*2) What is the significance of the Third Watch?* 

In biblical times, the night was divided into watches during which guards remained alert. The precise hours depended on whether the Jewish or Roman system was followed. Under the Roman system, the second watch ran approximately from 9 p.m. to midnight, and the third from midnight to 3 a.m. These were hours when tiredness could easily overcome vigilance. 

*Why does Jesus specifically mention the second or third watch?*

Because true faithfulness is tested not only when waiting is easy, but also when waiting becomes difficult.

It is easy to pray when everything goes well. It is easy to be enthusiastic when our work is successful. It is easy to trust God when our prayers seem to be answered quickly.

But what happens when:

- Our prayers seem to go unanswered?

- Our work produces no visible results?

- We experience disappointment, sickness or loneliness?

- We grow tired of doing good?

- God seems silent, and we do not know when relief will come?

These are the moments when our faith is tested. The third watch reminds us to remain faithful even when the night seems long.

*Reflection:* God does not ask us to remain faithful only when the sun shines. He asks us to keep our lamps burning even in the darkness.

*3) What is the Third Watch of our life?*

*A) The third watch of youth* : Young people may struggle with uncertainty about their future, studies, careers, relationships and vocation. They may feel pressure to succeed or compare themselves with others.

*Message:* Stay awake. Do not lose your values while pursuing success. Keep the lamp of faith burning as you make important decisions

*B) The third watch of middle age* : People may carry the burdens of family responsibilities, financial pressures, professional challenges and caring for ageing parents. In the midst of these duties, prayer and personal relationships may be neglected.

*Message:* Stay awake. Do not become so busy building your career and providing for others that you forget God, your family and your own spiritual life.

*C) The third watch of old age* : Older people may experience physical weakness, loneliness, bereavement or the feeling that their most productive years are behind them.

*Message:* Stay awake. Your life still has meaning. Your prayers, wisdom, encouragement and loving presence remain valuable gifts to others.

*D) The third watch of suffering* : At any age, we may experience a dark period when we lose someone we love, face illness, experience failure or struggle with unanswered prayers.

*Message:* Stay awake. Darkness is not proof that God has abandoned you. Keep trusting, praying and taking the next faithful step.

The third watch can come at any age. It is not necessarily the last stage of life; it is any period when remaining faithful becomes difficult.

The important question is not, “How old am I?” but “Am I still spiritually awake?”

*4) Application to Daily Life* 

*A) Keep your lamp burning* : Jesus says, “Keep your lamps lit.” A lamp gives light in darkness. In our Christian life, the lamp represents our faith, hope and love. We keep our lamps burning through daily prayer, participation in the Eucharist, reading God's Word, receiving the sacraments and helping those in need.

*B) Be dressed for action* : This means being ready to do God's will rather than constantly postponing what we know is right.

We may say, “I will forgive tomorrow,” “I will help someone when I have more money,” or “I will return to prayer when I have more time.” But Christian life calls us to act today.

*C) Do not fall asleep spiritually* : Spiritual sleep can take many forms. We may become comfortable with our sins, indifferent to injustice, careless in our responsibilities or too proud to accept correction. We may attend Mass regularly but fail to practise forgiveness. We may pray daily but ignore a neighbour in need. Being awake means allowing our faith to influence our choices and our relationships.

*D) Remain faithful when the waiting is long* : The servants did not know when their master would return. Their responsibility was to remain ready. Similarly, we cannot always choose when our difficulties will end or when our prayers will be answered. But we can choose to remain faithful. Do not give up praying because an answer is delayed. Do not stop doing good because others fail to appreciate you. Do not abandon your values because dishonesty seems more profitable.

*E) Be ready to welcome the Lord* : The master in the parable returns unexpectedly. Jesus uses this image to remind His disciples to be ready for His coming. Christian readiness is not about living in fear, but about living faithfully each day. We prepare to meet the Lord by loving God, caring for our neighbours, forgiving those who hurt us and fulfilling our responsibilities.

*5) Deeper Reflection* 

*The darkest hour can reveal the strength of our faith* : It is easy to be faithful when life is comfortable. The real test comes when our prayers seem unanswered and our strength is fading.

*Do not allow waiting to become wasting* : The servants were waiting, but they were ready to open the door. Christian waiting is not passive inactivity. While waiting for God's answer, we can continue to pray, serve, forgive, work and love.

*Keep your lamp burning even if others have switched theirs off* : Do not allow the dishonesty of others to destroy your integrity. Do not allow hatred to destroy your capacity to love. Do not allow disappointment to destroy your hope.

*The Lord who comes to find us awake also comes to serve us* : One of the most beautiful details in this Gospel is that the master, upon finding his servants awake, invites them to the table and serves them himself (Luke 12:37).

*Do not wait until old age to awaken spiritually* : Some people postpone conversion, prayer and reconciliation, thinking that there will be time later. But we do not know how much time we have.

*6) Examination of conscience*

- Is my faith awake, or have I become spiritually indifferent?

- Do I keep my lamp burning through prayer and good works?

- Am I faithful even when my prayers seem unanswered?

- Have I become so busy that I neglect God and my loved ones?

- What good action am I postponing?

- Am I prepared to meet the Lord, whenever He calls me?

The third watch teaches us that Christian life is a journey of constant readiness. We do not know when the Lord will come, when our lives will change or when our earthly journey will end. But we can choose how we live today.

Keep your lamp burning through faith. Keep your heart awake through love. Keep your hands ready for service. Keep your hope alive through prayer.

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*