Today, the summons to vigilance emerges now with great urgency. It had already been a major theme of Jesus’ Jerusalem teaching. It also points ahead to the later history of Christianity. Across the centuries, it is the drowsiness of the disciples that opens up possibilities for the power of the Evil One.

Such drowsiness deadens the soul, so that it remains undisturbed by all the injustice and suffering ravaging the earth. In its state of numbness the soul prefers not to see all this; It is easily persuaded that things cannot be so bad, so as to continue in the self-satisfaction of its own comfortable existence Yet, this deadening of souls, whether referring to God’s closeness or to the looming forces of darkness is what gives the Evil One power in the world.

—Before our drowsy spirits, O Lord, You say: "I'm dying of sadness". And I answer You: I want to watch over with you!