231st Meditation
“Every day is important, every hour I offer my salvation to mankind. You must serve to bring it to people, for the joy of your Father who loves you” (“Inner Word”).
We are called to live in the “kairos”; that is to say, to be aware that TODAY is the “propitious time” and the day on which salvation is offered to mankind (cf. 2 Cor 6:2). The way to it is open: “TODAY, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” (Ps 95:7-8).
It is not up to us whether people take advantage of this open door to salvation and pass through it; but what is asked of us is that, by our efforts, we live aware of this salvation, remain in God’s grace and help people to find the path of salvation.
Every day offers us the opportunity to serve God and people in various ways in this work of salvation. Today we are exhorted to spiritual vigilance, to act in God’s “NOW”. By fully grasping this “now”, this “kairos”, this “propitious time”, our soul is focused on God and surrenders to the mission He has given us in our life.
We are familiar with many passages of Holy Scripture that remind us of the Lord’s return at the end of time (e.g. Lk 12:38-48) and urge us to be vigilant. These words want to awaken us from all sloth and recklessness.
The word we heard at the beginning of this meditation wants to make it clear to us that our vigilant and awake cooperation in His vineyard is a joy for the Father. Indeed, not only should we be motivated by the knowledge that we are working for our own salvation and that of our neighbour, but our service should be a fruit of inner union with our Father. He loves to see us working as earnest co-operators in His great work of salvation.
Then every hour and every day will not only be a chronological passage of time; but in them this word becomes a reality: “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Ps 118:24).
This joy and gratitude towards God moves us to want to serve the One who has given us this life and this time, in the same way as the angels do: to do His will gladly, totally and immediately.