On this last day of the Church's year, the Lord commands us to:

• WATCH AND "PRAY constantly for the strength to escape whatever is in prospect, and to stand secure before the Son of Man" (Lk 21:36).
• WATCH AND ABSTAIN lest our "spirits become bloated with indulgence and drunkenness and worldly cares" (Lk 21:34).
• WATCH AND OBEY the Lord (Dn 7:27), Who alone "delivers us from the wrath to come" (1 Thes 1:10).
• WATCH AND THANK "God the Father always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Eph 5:20).
• WATCH AND REJOICE, for the Lord commands us to rejoice in Him always (Phil 4:4).
• WATCH AND FORGIVE seventy times seven times (Mt 18:22).
• WATCH AND WITNESS, for we are His witnesses, beginning where we are and then to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).
• WATCH AND LOVE, for without love even the greatest works are of no value (1 Cor 13:1-3).

The Lord repeatedly commands us to watch, for:

• He is always with us (Mt 28:20).
• We are tempted daily and frequently.
• The devil is "like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Pt 5:8).
• Death is at the door.
• The world could end at any time.
• Jesus is coming soon.

"So be on the watch" (Lk 21:36).

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, May 30, 2001

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 4, 2001