The Benefits Of Vigilance

Semper ergo ad omnia vigilias esse salutares nullus ignorat. Quae ars, quod opus, quod tempus, quae potestas, quod officium, non vitae lucra lucubratione perquirit? Hinc est quod rex in procinctu pervigil callidi hostis praecavet, et evitat insidias; tunc in castris miles supervenientes nocturnos impetus cauta pernoctatione propellit. Sic nauta vigilando diffusi itineris incertas vias intrat, et calles transit invios, et vestigio furtivo ad lucrosi portus votivam pervenit mansionem. Hinc pastor adjungit noctes diebus, et totum sibi tempus denegat dormiendi, in qua lupis suffragante somno, grassandi in gregem preabeatur occasio. Sic viator solers per auras noctis, aestus solis praevenit, aptumque diem providentius deputat mansioni. Hoc propheta sciens non die solo sed de nocte tota clamabat ad Dominum: Domine Deus salutis meae, in die clamavi, et nocte coram te. Quid plura ? Ipse Dominus pernoctat in oratione Dei, ut ante nos oratione liberet quam redimat passione. Et si pro servis dominus vigilat, merito pro seipsis servos vigilare sic jubet.  Sanctus Petrus Chrysologus, Sermo XXIV  Source: Migne PL 52.266

Always, therefore, be well watchful in everything. What does this art, this work, this time, this power, this office, search through the night but for the profit of life? By this the king, ready for battle by vigil, anticipates the cunning enemy and evades the ambushers, then into the camp, by nocturnal caution driven, the soldiers come. So a sailor sharp of vigilance enters on uncertain ways, and travels through difficult places, and scarcely noticed comes to the wealthy port of the promised mansion. By this the shepherd is bound day and night, refusing the time of sleep by which the ravaging wolf would carry the slaughter of the prowler into the flock. So the astute traveler with ears sensitive to the night, anticipating the sun's heat, reaches on the appropriate day the mansion providence appointed. Thus the Prophet, not the day only but the whole night, cried out to the Lord, 'Lord God of my salvation, I cry out all day and all night to you.' 1 What more? The Lord himself passed the night in prayer, that before us in prayer he free what the passion would redeem. And if the Lord keeps watch for the servants, it is commanded that the servants themselves be vigilant. Saint Peter Chrysologus, from Sermon 24 1 Ps 87. 2