So, Advent begins – a time of waiting, a time of preparation, a time for vigilance, and a time for action.  In the gospel, we are invited to ponder the time of Noah and the Ark, “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of God”. In the description that follows, people are living their daily lives – “eating and drinking, marrying and being given in marriage”.  The gospel says, “they did not know until the flood came and carried them away. So will it also be at the coming of the Son of God”.  If they had known, they would have been prepared. “So too we must be prepared for we know not when Christ will come.”  This gospel is encouragement and warning – be awake, be attentive, don’t miss God’s grace. We can miss Christ in our daily lives, not recognize Christ in our midst, not recognize the invitation of fresh grace. 

 

So, it seems like the quality of one’s preparation is something vitally important – something that requires intention and action.  Some in Noah’s time were not prepared. Are we prepared for the second coming, are we prepared to welcome Christ into our hearts and minds anew this Advent? 

 

The first reading from Isaiah will end with this verse – “O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!” The reading from the letter to the Romans, will end with the directive to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ”. 

 

We will live this Advent like the ones of previous years – day by day, a daily pilgrimage to God’s mountain as described in Isaiah, a daily journey. The gospel is encouraging us to be ready, to not be caught unaware of God’s grace and presence. 

 

So, how will you, in your daily life this Advent, prepare to let Christ's light into your life, and how will you be the light of Christ for others? 

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​Jesus tells us to “stay awake!” (Matthew 24:42) 
What Advent practice do you use to “stay awake” and alert to God’s voice and movement in your life? 

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• I continue to stay vigilant and wait for Jesus. I stay faithful to the sacraments and rest in the heart of my sweet Jesus. 

• I try to find moments for prayerful silence to ready my heart to hear God’s voice and recognize Christ’s presence. 

• I continue my early morning prayer hour to stay awake each moment to the love of God’s continual gifts during the day. 

• I listen to Grace-filled Stories (from Notre Dame), which has a reflection each day. 

• It’s easy to zone out during the recitation of the Psalms, day after day. Being awake and attentive – placing myself in the present and the past with the psalmist – is my goal for Week 1 of Advent. 

• I start my morning off with 15 minutes of quiet, asking for whatever graces I might need. 

• We will have a “Desert Day” in mid-December. What an opportunity for me to sink into the silence and be more aware of the Presence that is always with me. If I reflect on my need and the world’s need for a Savior, I prepare my heart to celebrate Christmas once again. 

• I begin my day by reading the daily Scripture and try to live it during the day. And at night I reflect on how I did. 

• During this new Liturgical Year I plan to restart my Jesus Prayer, “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a sinner.”