Eyes on the road, hands upon the wheel

From time to time I will drive long distances alone: as much as fifteen to eighteen hours at a stretch, stopping only for fuel and other critical necessities.

On rare occasions I have foolishly done this overnight and it is during those occasions, especially in the long hours just before dawn, that I catch myself having what is called a "microsleep" - just a second or two, but enough to result in a crash (thanks be to God that this has not yet happened).

No amount of willpower (or caffeine) can unfailingly stave off these lapses of consciousness: the only way to remain safe is to act prudently and avoid the circumstances in the first place.

The alternative is death.

I was very much reminded of this by today's Gospel (Luke 21:34-36):

Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy
from carousing and drunkenness
and the anxieties of daily life,
and that Day catch you by surprise like a trap.

For that Day will assault everyone
who lives on the face of the earth.

Be vigilant at all times
and pray that you have the strength
to escape the tribulations that are imminent
and to stand before the Son of Man.

Carousing and drunkenness are well known as morally high-risk activities, but even the "anxieties of daily life" can distract us for the ultimate purposes of our life or tempt us to sin (to smooth our path with a "little white lie" or worse sins).

Of course, we can end up living in perpetual anxiety and fear of "micro-sins" - an anxiety that may itself distract us from the work and the purpose to which Christ calls us.

Moreover, no amount of human willpower alone can unfailingly stave off lapses of conscience: only the grace of God can enable us to do that.

As the Lord says, we must pray continually for that grace and strength and through that grace we must be vigilant: exercising prudence at all times, avoiding as much as possible the circumstances in which we may become vulnerable, and focusing on the work and the mission to which Christ calls us.

The alternative is eternal death.

By the grace and power of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, may we keep our eyes fixed on the road he sets before us and keep our hands at the work to which he calls us, so that when the Day comes we may stand before Him with peace and joy.