First Sunday of Advent – B
Watching, Waiting and Praying
Advent is about prayer and waiting and preparing for the coming of Christ. It is about living in hope and peace, turning to God, getting ready, living in expectation and keeping watch. The Gospel reading has Jesus’ warning to his disciples, “Be alert and watch… stay awake… what I say to you, I say to all: watch” So Advent is about keeping watch for Christ.
The key word for Advent is “Watch!” Jesus compares his going away to a man on a long journey, leaving his servants to watch over his affairs and household during his absence. Jesus has ascended to glory in heaven; he has left his followers to watch over his house and to be ready for his return. We must not be found sleeping when he comes; we have to be always ready for his return.
Jesus tells us that no one knows the day or the hour of his return: the precise time is left in God’s hands. We know the Lord will come back; we do not know when. We live with this uncertainty, in the shadow of eternity. There is no reason for fearful or hysterical expectation. It means that every day and every hour we should live well, always ready for the Lord’s return.
Advent is the season in the Church liturgical year when we consider how well we are actively ready for the return of the Lord. Advent is a time to consider key questions like:
- How seriously have I taken my belief that Jesus died and rose from the dead for me?
- How active have I been a member of Christ’s Church, his mystical Body?
- How have I lived the life God has given me?
- How is my relationship with the living God?
- Do I take time out of my busy life to speak (Pray) to God.
There is not one person who can say these questions are irrelevant. One day Jesus will return and he will know what kind of a person I have been. Those who trust in him and have faith in him will be welcomed into eternal life because his death and resurrection have saved us.
We spend a lot of time waiting: in traffic, for meetings, Drs and other appointments, for other people. Yet there is nothing more important to wait for than the return of the Lord. What we do while waiting for the Lord is important for our life in eternity.
Advent assures us that Jesus is coming, and we pray: Come, Lord Jesus!