READ: Luke 21: 25-28; 34-36

Jesus said to his disciples:

“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.”

“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”

REFLECT

I think it’s fitting that this is the Gospel reading for the first Sunday in Advent. As we prepare for Christ’s birth, Luke is warning us about the second coming of Jesus during the end times.

He says,

“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.”

He calls us to be vigilant- to be on guard and not give in to temptation.

So why does the Church put this reading for the first week of Advent?

Because we should prepare for the remembrance of Christ’s birth (His first coming), the same way we should prepare for His second coming.

We don’t know the day or hour we are going to meet Him face to face. Maybe it’s through death, or maybe we will still be alive for Christ’s second coming. Regardless, we have to be on guard. We must be vigilant.

IN THE WORLD, BUT NOT OF IT

I have many friends- some of them are good Catholics, some of them good Christians, some of them just Christian by name, and others almost apathetic towards faith in general.

Now I desire all my friends to come to the truth of Christ. I want them to live out their call to holiness because I know that’s where they will be happiest. So it saddens me when I see friends make bad decisions. It hurts my heart when a friend of mine is doing something against the teachings of Christ and the Church- whether it be drugs or alcohol addictions, immodest dress, premarital sex, or not using their talents as they should. I know God desires a much more beautiful life for them than the one they are living.

I often have to remind myself to be patient as Christ is patient with me because we all come from different walks of life. We are ALL broken sinners in need of the mercy and love of Jesus.

However, what probably saddens me most is seeing my friends who know better. The ones who know the truth of faith, what is right and wrong, but make bad decisions against what Christ is calling them to do. They love the Lord and want to walk in the Light when it’s convenient, but don’t follow through. As St. Luke says, They “become drowsy” in their faith.

And to some extent, that’s all of us. We all get drowsy to a degree at times- whether it be in small ways or big ones. We forget that true joy and beauty is found in living the truth of the Gospel. And that’s where friends come in.

Just as I wish to call my friends to a higher standard, St. Luke is calling us out in this Sunday’s gospel. Like a good friend, he reminds us to be vigilant and on guard with our hearts.

STAYING VIGILANT

So what does St. Luke mean when he says, “Be vigilant?”

He tells us in that first paragraph:

“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life.”

How often do we fall into that trap of letting the anxieties of daily life get us down? How often do put too much of our identity in things of this world? How often do we distract ourselves with worldly pleasures and fall into sinful behavior?

If we were so focused on the coming of Christ, I can guarantee we wouldn’t be so immersed in the anxieties of our lives. Why? Because none of that matters!!! All that matters is the Son of God is going to be in our midst and we must prepare for that.

RESPOND

So what anxieties are weighing you down right now? Is it all that Christmas shopping you still need to get done? Is it your relatives coming into town and stressing you out? Is it all the work you still need to get done for your job? Are you going through a transition? Do you miss a loved one that has passed away?

Whatever it is, just remember that this isn’t our home. All things are passing away and soon it will just be you standing in front of Jesus. So the real question you need to ask yourself is when that moment comes, will YOUR heart be ready? Or will you be too consumed and distracted by your worldly life to prepare?

Don’t put off what you can do today. Don’t say you will stop that sinful habit next week. Or that you’ll start devoting more time to prayer once your schedule slows down. Because the thing is our life won’t slow down for us to grow in virtue. WE have to make time. So whatever you need to do to become a better person, do it.

The time is NOW. Don’t let “that day surprise you like a trap.”

From the depths of my soul,

Josie