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One Bread, One Body - Reflection for December 2, 2017

SETTING YOUR WATCH

"So be on the watch." –Luke 21:36

On this last day of the Church's year, the Lord commands us to:

• Watch and "pray constantly for the strength to escape whatever is in prospect, and to stand secure before the Son of Man" (Lk 21:36).
• Watch and abstain lest our "spirits become bloated with indulgence and drunkenness and worldly cares" (Lk 21:34).
• Watch and obey the Lord (Dn 7:27), Who alone "delivers us from the wrath to come" (1 Thes 1:10).
• Watch and thank "God the Father always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Eph 5:20).
• Watch and rejoice, for the Lord commands us to rejoice in Him always (Phil 4:4).
• Watch and forgive seventy times seven times (Mt 18:22).
• Watch and witness, for we are His witnesses, beginning where we are and then to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).
• Watch and love, for without love even the greatest works are of no value (1 Cor 13:1-3).

The Lord repeatedly commands us to watch, for:

• He is always with us (Mt 28:20).
• We are tempted daily and frequently.
• The devil is "like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Pt 5:8).
• Death is at the door.
• The world could end at any time.
• Jesus is coming soon.

"So be on the watch" (Lk 21:36).

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Acknowledgement

Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:

· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College