27/08/2026
Thursday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time, Year II.
Memorial of Saint Monica.
Readings: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, Psalm 145 (144):2-7 & Matthew 24:42-51.
Theme: Stay Awake by Being Faithful
Dear friends, when we speak of motherhood, we speak of sacrifice. A mother often gives before she receives, worries before anyone else notices the danger, and continues to care even when her efforts go unnoticed. From the moment a child is entrusted to her, her life is no longer lived only for herself. She loses sleep, bears burdens in silence, works, waits, corrects, forgives, and hopes. Even when a child takes a wrong path, a mother's heart does not easily give up.
This is why the Church presents us with Saint Monica as an example today. Her motherhood was marked by perseverance. She could not make decisions for her son Augustine, nor could she force his conversion. Yet she remained faithful in her care for him. Her life reminds us that love sometimes means patiently standing beside someone, praying, waiting, and refusing to give up hope. Today, as we remember Saint Monica, we are invited to ask: Are we faithful to the responsibilities God has entrusted to us? Do we continue to love when it is difficult? Do we remain faithful when we cannot yet see the results of our prayers?
Today, Jesus gives us a simple command: “Stay awake.” But what does that mean? It does not mean living in fear or constantly wondering when the world will end. It means living faithfully today, because we do not know the hour when the Lord will come. When Jesus spoke these words, his disciples were living under Roman rule in a world where life could change suddenly. He had been teaching them about the coming judgement and the destruction of Jerusalem. He was not giving them a timetable. He wanted to teach them how to live while they wait. That is why Jesus immediately speaks of a servant who is faithful enough to keep feeding the household at the proper time. Watchfulness is not sitting at the door waiting. Watchfulness is doing your duty faithfully.
Let us bring this home to our context today. A parent who continues to love and guide a child, even when the child has grown distant from the faith, is staying awake. A husband or wife who chooses fidelity when no one is watching is staying awake. A Christian who refuses dishonesty at work, even when it seems profitable, is staying awake. St. Paul gives us the same foundation for the people of Corinth. He reminds a troubled Christian community that God has already enriched them in Christ and is faithful. Their security does not come from their perfection but from God's faithfulness.
Saint Monica’s life brings today’s readings to life. Born in North Africa in the fourth century, she was Augustine's mother. In his Confessions, Augustine recounts her persistent concern for his conversion. She followed him from North Africa to Italy and was in Milan before his baptism in 387. She died later that year at Ostia. Saint Monica teaches us something important: faithfulness does not mean controlling the outcome. It means refusing to abandon the responsibility God has given us.
Dear people of God, do not ask only, “When will the Lord come?” Ask instead, “If the Lord came today, what would he find me doing?”
May he find us loving, serving, forgiving, praying and faithful.
Have a fruitful Day🌹🙏🏿
