Today's Gospel reading highlights the virtue of vigilance. Pope Francis said that the vigilance the Lord asks of his disciples is continual, so that “we can understand God’s transition in one’s life because God continually passes through life." The Lord says, "Gird your loins and light your lamps." These are the two ways to practice this vigilance well.

The girding of their loins was one of the instructions for the Passover in Egypt. The Israelites ate the Passover lamb with their loins girded, ready to flee as soon as the order came. Having their loins girded is the attitude of pilgrims, always ready to undertake the journey. Keeping the lamps burning is another way to practice constant vigilance.

In five weeks, on September 14, we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the canonization of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. With this upcoming anniversary bringing St. Elizabeth Ann's life and legacy to the forefront of my mind, I couldn't help but think of her as I reflected on this Gospel reading. St. Elizabeth Ann provides a powerful example of constant vigilance for us.

She spent her life “girding her loins”; that is, she was a pilgrim, always ready to embark on the journey. To learn about the life of St. Elizabeth Ann is to delve into the life of a pilgrim whose circumstances led her to be constantly on the move, both geographically and spiritually.

Her journey of life was very difficult. She suffered personal illness, illnesses of others, poverty, the death of loved ones, and social rejection for her faith. She was repeatedly challenged to abandon herself to God's will.

The geographical movement of her life, from New York to Italy, then back to New York and Baltimore and eventually Emmitsburg, was also a spiritual movement. Following God's will, she moved from wife to mother to educator to religious foundress.

St. Elizabeth Ann lived a life of constant vigilance. In her mature spirituality, she desired to understand God’s transition in her life. St. Elizabeth Ann also kept her lamp burning, that is, she kept her faith active.

The lamp of faith illuminated many nights of St. Elizabeth Ann's life. Her faith was marked by an unwavering trust in God's will. Once she understood the mystery of the Real Presence of the Lord in the Eucharist, her faith was nourished and increased through her relationship with the Blessed Sacrament. (By the way, in observance of the 50th Anniversary, the Parish will hold 20 hours of Solemn Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, beginning on Friday, September 5, at 12:15 pm).

St. Elizabeth Ann's profound faith led her to serve others, especially women, children and the poor. The light we receive from our personal encounter with the Lord through prayer, the sacraments, and reflecting on the Word of God is entrusted to us not for the good of us alone, but for the good of all. The saints understood this well. Pope Francis said, "Real faith opens the heart to our neighbor and urges us towards concrete communion with our brothers and sisters, especially with those in need."

God continually passes through our lives. We must remain vigilant to understand how God is working in our lives. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton teaches us how to do this. Let us humbly ask the Lord to grant us the virtue of continual vigilance.