"Do you intend this parable for us, Lord, or do you mean it for the whole world?" Since Jesus instructed his disciples to make disciples of all nations, we know that the answer to the disciples' question is "For the whole world, of course." The parable is also for each one of us. In assimilating the parable through prayer we may adapt the first part of the disciples' question as "In what way, Lord, do you intend this parable for me, today?" In what particular way must I be on my guard today? I cannot foresee, of course what will happen today, but for most of us there are routine things we must face each day. In a developed spiritual life, being on guard can become a routine attitude towards all events. To extend our awareness, St Ignatius encourages us to live in the present moment. There is also, nowadays a fairly widespread interest in mindfulness (some now rather speak of "heartfulness") and it is used in various disciplines. It can be valuable as a technique to promote recollection and even the traditional Catholic practice of cultivating a sense of the presence of God through "spiritual communion."