My friends, today we begin the season of Advent. We are waiting for the coming of Christ. Most people think that Advent is a time of joyful anticipation as we await Christmas. And while this is in some sense true, the gospel reading today presents us with a different message: “Beware, keep alert: for you do not know when the time will come.” (Mk 13:33 NRSVCE)
This warning does not make sense if the time which Jesus refers to is the joyful season of Christmas. Why should I beware of Christmas, besides the inevitable tiredness and busyness that comes with preparing for this celebration? The time which Jesus is referring to is his second coming to judge the world at the end of time. This is the time for which we must both beware and keep alert. As a tired student at the end of a term, Jesus’ command to stay awake is perhaps the hardest. How do we watch for the day of the Lord’s coming?
When Jesus speaks of watching for the day of his coming, he is not saying that we should wait passively. It is an active form of waiting which he asks from us. He has given each “a particular task.” (Mk 13:34 NRSVCE) St. John Henry Cardinal Newman says that “God has created me to do Him some definite service.” God has created each person for a particular task, something which he wants them to carry out as they await his coming. St. Paul says that God “will also strengthen you to the end.” (1 Cor 1:8 NRSVCE) God does not abandon us to work on our own; rather, he offers us the grace we need to be able to do our work well. It is in doing these particular works well that will keep our souls awake and prepare them to receive Christ.
As we begin this Advent season, let us seek not only what particular work God wants for us right now, but let us also ask what is keeping us from being alert in knowing his will. Is it how busy or tired we are? Is it because of a feeling of being abandoned by God or shame of our own sinfulness? Whatever our obstacles may be, let us bring them to prayer. No matter how imperfect or unlovable we think we are, in the loving hands of God, the clay that we are can be turned into beautiful vessels, capable of receiving Jesus with joy both at the Second Coming and at Christmas this year.
Daniel Phillips – St. Joseph Seminary, Edmonton, Alberta.
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