Sunday Reflections

When I was a student in University I sometimes found myself in the situation where I had to pull an ‘all nighter’.  Either because of a heavy work load, or poor time management, or for laziness, I found myself under the gun at the last minute and having to spend the whole night finishing a project or essay. 

I thought of this bad habit when I first read the gospel for this First Sunday of Advent, in which the Lord Jesus tells us to “be vigilant at all times“.   Advent is a unique time of the liturgical year.  Although the colour of the vestments is the same as the Lenten season, the spirit of the season is very different.  Whereas Lent is a time of conversion and returning to the Lord, Advent is a time of waiting, watching, and being alert for the celebration of the first coming of the Lord Jesus at his birth.

The gospel reading of today continues the theme of the last few weeks – I call them the ‘doom and gloom’ readings – filled with destruction and disaster.  Yet, there is always a note of hope – Jesus saying, “Stand erect and raise your heads. … Beware … Be vigilant.”   He not only tells us to be prepared, but reminds us that He is with us in order to prepare ourselves for his coming.  Jesus has been victorious over sin and death – by His suffering, death and resurrection – and we share in that life through our baptism.

Advent is a time of patient waiting in expectation of the Lord’s birth.  Just as we prepare our homes and our family life for the celebration of Christmas, so too spiritual we should be preparing ourselves spiritually – beginning today – to celebrate the birth of the Saviour.  It is a time of getting out that Christmas trapping, and doing our overseas mailing, soon to be followed by the decoration of the house – inside and out – to reflect the spirit of the season. But the true spirit of the season of Advent is not bells and trees and egg nog.  The spirit of the season is receiving the Lord Jesus who came to the earth as a child in a humble stable in Bethlehem.  For this we need to prepare ourselves, and be “vigilant” for the signs of grace he gives us.

One of the most important ways we prepare ourselves spiritually is in our life of prayer – as individuals, as families, and as a Parish Community.  In order to recognize the ways of the Lord, and respond to his abundant grace, we must enter into prayer and union with God.  This requires finding that ‘quiet place’ within ourselves, or around us, where we can encounter God in silence and reflection.  Too often we fill our days and our lives with noise, which distracts us and keeps us from reflecting, which keeps us from thinking, which keeps us from acting.  If we are to be “vigilant” we must seek God, and the best way to do that is to seek him in silence.  Another way to prepare ourselves is to follow the Scripture readings given to us by the Church, not only those of the Sunday liturgy, but of each day.  By following these readings daily, it is like taking one step further into the season each day.  Even if we take ten minutes in prayer, or in the reading of the Gospel of the day we may be surprised how much more “vigilant” we become, and are in tune with our spiritual journey of grace. 

As we begin this season of grace, let us take seriously the opportunities provided to us – liturgically and in our own prayer life – to be more “vigilant” and make Christmas 2024 a true gift to God of lives renewed, families more united, and communities more compassionate and in solidarity.