Always Be Ready | Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

You must also be ready, for the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect." (Luke-57 AD 12:40)

Brother,

In the 19th week of Ordinary time the Church is sharing many things with us. Such as, one of the three core laws of logic, the importance of faith (and what it is), and the exhortation to readiness.

Exhortation: an address or communication emphatically urging someone to do something.

What I want to share with you –– and will always share with you in my writings –– are core philosophical principles to help you think more deeply; and better understand your faith. That said, I want to call attention to the logic of opposites (I.e., the Law of Non-Contradiction) and what it means for your salvation and what the Gospel meant by "the necessity of watchfulness."

1: The Logic of Opposites

(6) That night was made known beforehand to our ancestors (God bringing death to the Egyptian firstborn), so that they (the Hebrews) might rejoice in sure knowledge of the oaths in which they trusted. (7) The deliverance of the righteous and the destruction of their enemies were expected by your people. (8) For by the same means by which you punished our enemies you called us to yourself and glorified us. (Wisdom 18:6-9, RSV-2CE translation)

(Emphasis mine.)

For further context, Wisdom 18:3 tells us:

... therefore you provided a flaming pillar of fire as a guide for your peoples unknown journey." (Wisdom 18:3)

The pillar of fire and guidance are imagery of the Holy Spirit. St. John's tells us when "the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth." (John 16:13) The Holy Spirit is our guide our wisdom; and the personification of Wisdom is Christ Himself (1 Corinthians 1:18-31). More on this as we approach Gospel.

"... the destruction of their enemies" (Wisdom 18:7)

We get the word "ENEMY" from EMNITY, which means complete and perfect opposition. We see emnity for the first time in the garden (Genesis 3:15) in reference to Eve and the serpent –– the devil.

I will put enmities between thee and the woman, and thy seed and her seed: she shall crush thy head, and thou shalt lie in wait for her heel. Genesis 3:15, Douay-Rheims Translation

This is the logic of opposites and the Law of Non-contradiction; two bodies cannot occupy the same space. According to Socrates (the founder of western philosophy), when one approaches it's opposite, the thing being opposed must either flee or parish.

This is why "their enemies deserved to be deprived of light and imprisoned in darkness" (Wisdom 18:4). To remain in opposition to the LORD is to live in darkness by definition.

In this context Genesis is a prophecy of the enmity––the complete and perfect opposition––of Mary and her Seed (Jesus of Nazareth). Therefore according to this logic, the "advancement of their opposites, either they go off or they perish."

Since the devil is immortal, and imperishable, his only option is to flee at the advancement of the names, and presence, of Jesus and Mary––his opposites. We see the concept of emnity and logic of opposites present itself when Jesus is speaking to His Apostles of the coming of the Holy Spirit.

I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me. John 14:30.

(Emphasis mine.)

Jesus, Mary, the devil, and the logic of opposites

The devil does not share in the Form of the Good. Because he (the devil) is opposite to its nature (which is goodness itself).

This is why the devil has ZERO access to Mary. It's why she is sinless––she is his opposite; his enemy. This is also the fundamental argument for the Divinity of Christ, Mary’s Immaculate Conception, and Her perpetual virginity, the logic of opposites: When the opposite of what is being opposed advances on the thing being opposed… it (the thing being opposed) must either get out of the way, or perish.

Mary cannot both be a sinner and yet be the opposite of sin; with the opposite of sin being obedience, which Jesus and Mary are perfect examples of. If she is, both at the same time, then this violates the fundamental principles of logic and reason... and God is a liar.

Why am I using the book of Wisdom to reference the logic of opposites as proof of the Immaculate Conception and the Divinity of Christ? Because, all scripture must be read in the light of Christ through these 3 lenses:

1. Literal sense: what do the words literally say, in their original context and intended meaning?
2. Spiritual sense: the spiritual is divided into three parts:
   1. Allegorical sense: The allegorical sense informs our faith. How does this relate to Christ? How do people, places, and institutions in the Old Testament point to new covenant realities?
   2. Moral sense: What does this mean for my personal life, and how I am to live?
   3. Anagogical sense: Allusions of the afterlife and the age to come. Our hope. From the Greek: “To climb or ascent.” This is the mystical or spiritual interpretation of scripture. I.e., What does this mean for my salvation?

2: An exhortation to readiness

In Jesus "the Kingdom of God is at hand." He calls his hearers to conversion and faith, but also to watchfulness. In prayer the disciple keeps watch, attentive to Him Who Is and Him Who Comes, in memory of his first coming in the lowliness of the flesh, and in the hope of his second coming in glory. In communion with their Master, the disciples' prayer is a battle; only by keeping watch in prayer can one avoid falling into temptation. (CCC 2612)

(Emphasis mine.)

According to paragraph 2612 of the Catechism, "in prayer the disciple keeps watch; prayer is a battle." What does battle and warfare demand? My duty as a solider and former captain of the imperial guard (the elite forces of Rome) was to always be prepared for battle. In the mystical context, we prepare for (spiritual) battle through prayer (1 Maccabees 3:43-47)

Expressions and levels of prayer

According to Church teaching, there are 5 forms of prayer:

1. Blessing and Adoration (CCC 2626)
2. Prayer of Petition (CCC 2629)
3. Prayer of Intercession (CCC 2634)
4. Prayer of Thanksgiving (CCC 2637)
5. Prayer of Praise (CCC 2639)

These can be summarized in the following acronym: "A.C.T.S"

Adoration
Contrition
Thanksgiving
Supplication

First and foremost, when you approach the Lord in prayer it is eminent to be in a state of Grace. Why? Because God does not listen to the prayers of sinners who are not in a state of grace and refuse to do His will (John 9:31). Which is why we ought to, first, adore him with a contrite and humble heart. Second, we ought give Him thanks; for everything we have has been giving to us by Him. And lastly, close your prayer with petition, what is it you need from the Lord.

Prayer comes in many expressions.

1. Vocal prayer: A prayer of words, spoken aloud or silently. It includes formal prayers and spontaneous expressions of thoughts and feelings to God.
2. Meditative Prayer: The mind and imagination are used to reflect on spiritual truths (like the Incarnation). The aim is to deepen love and relationship with God.
3. Contemplative: This is a silent, prayerful gaze upon God, letting go of thoughts and images and simply resting in God's presence. St. Teresa of Avila described it as "a close sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with Him whom we know loves us". 

Then there are 9 levels of prayer according to St. Teresa of Avila which are summarize in:

1. The Purgative Way.
2. The illuminative Way.
3. The Unitive Way.

Each with their own subset levels of prayer to elevate the soul into closer and more intimate communion with God. I'll write about those another day.

Always Be Ready!

Today, Christ is calling us to prayer. It's how the soul "girds it's loins" and keeps it's "lamps burning" and being "like men who are waiting for their Master to come home from the marriage feast!" (Luke 12:35-36)

And the source and summit of prayer –– in which all expressions and levels of prayer come together –– is in the Holy sacrifice of the Mass.

And "blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes.... in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those servants!" (ibid, 12:37-38).

When Jesus finds us in prayer, in the prayer of the Mass, He will serve us. And what will He serve His faithful with but His very self: His most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity.

But for a soul to come to understand this great mystery. He ought to pray to the Holy Spirit for wisdom and a discerning mind so he may understand all truth (John 16:13). Because "you must also be ready, for the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect." (Luke 12:40)

What does all of this mean for you?

Two things:

1. If your actions are opposed to Christ one of two things will happen: 1.) Christ will either flee from you or 2.) you will perish; because two bodies cannot occupy the same space. In His great mercy He permits the former instead of the ladder to happen. In order to give you time (with the creation of time being a mercy in itself for us... so we may "have time" to reconcile ourselves back to God before the second coming of Christ, in judgement).
2. What does your prayer life look like? Wisdom and a discerning mind can only be acquired through a life a prayer. Are you ready to meet Christ? If He were to approach you in your day of judgement, would He know who you are? Or would you be His opposite, His enemy, left in the darkness and perpetual remorse of your conscience? Only you know the answer.

As your brother in Christ, I exhort you, in love, to prayer. To be prepared for battle; to ALWAYS BE READY!

For our Lord will come when you least expect it.

Thanks for reading. If you know someone who could benefit from today's catechesis, please share this which them.

Your brother,

St. Sebastian "The Dauntless Christian"

P.S. Here are two prayers you can use today. One is to develop a relationship with the Holy Spirit so He can lead you into all truth. I recommend praying it every day, especially before reading Sacred Scripture and going to Mass. The second is an Act of Contrition.

There are two types of contrition: 1.) Imperfect and 2.) Perfect. The first is based on pride. E.g., "I'm sorry because I got caught (this is the prayer God does not hear. Because apology without change is manipulation)." The other is when the soul is contrite because it hurt the One whom he loves.

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful
and enkindle in them the fire of your love
Breath in me , O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts
may all be holy me holy.

Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too,
may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit
I invite you to dwell in me,
fill me with your light and your wisdom.

I ask this through the same Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

Act of Contrition

O, My God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you,
and I detest all my sins because of your just punishments,
but most of all because they offend you, my God,
who are all good and deserving of all my love.

I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace,
to confess my sins, to do penance,
and to amend my life.

Amen.

References:

1. Readings from the 19th week of Ordinary Time (2025): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/081025.cfm
2. Wisdom 18 RSV-2CE: https://biblehub.com/nrsvce/wisdom/18.htm
3. John 16:3 https://biblehub.com/nrsvce/john/16.htm
4. 1 Corinthians 18-31 https://biblehub.com/nrsvce/1_corinthians/1.htm
5. Genesis 3:15 https://biblehub.com/drb/genesis/3.htm
6. Plato. (2010). The last days of Socrates. Penguin UK. A new translation by Christopher Rowe, p.150
7. John 14:30 https://biblehub.com/nrsvce/john/14.htm
8. CCC 2612: https://www.catholiccrossreference.online/catechism/#!/search/2612
9. Pre-Battle Ritual of Judas Maccabeus https://biblehub.com/nrsvce/1_maccabees/3.htm
10. God does not listen to the prayers of sinner: John 9:31 https://biblehub.com/nrsvce/john/9.htm
11. Luke 12:35-36 https://biblehub.com/nrsvce/luke/12.htm