Our Maltese “Ishru!” (Mk 13:33) combines: “Stay awake!” and “Keep watch!”. Hence for me, as Maltese, it is more appropriate to use this imperative ;-) (I am thankful that i am Catholic but I am ALSO thankful to be Maltese because ours is a VERY RICH and beautiful language :-)
So Jesus says: “Ishru!” (Mark 13:33)
…it is not an option but rather an imperative!
…it is not an option but rather an imperative!
“Ishru!” Jesus repeats a while later! (Mk 13:37)
And as i heard these words being read i remembered God's cry:
"Could you not watch with me for one hour?"
(Mt 26:40)
"He went back to his disciples and found them asleep, and he said to Peter, “Could you not stay awake with me for even an hour? Stay awake and pray, so that you may not slip into temptation. The spirit indeed is eager, but human nature is weak.” " (Mt 26:40,41)
Today's "Ishru!" (Mk 13:33 and 37) and God's cry "Could you not watch with me for one hour?" (Mt 26:40) were said in different contexts and perhaps they are hardly related yet, on this day: 1st Sunday of Advent, as i remembered the both, they seemed to be linked:
we wait in hope and prepare ourselves for the Birth of Christ Jesus. In So doing i, and all, are invited to visit Jesus in the Most Holy Eucharist :-)
"Could you not watch with me for one hour?"
(Mt 26:40)
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As God’s “Ishru!” is being announced in all Catholic Churches today, on this the 1st Sunday of Advent, a song echoes: questioning: “Will We Be Sleeping?”
