Saturday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Today marks the vigil of the first Sunday of Advent and the new liturgical year. And rightly so, we are given a gospel reading highlighting the need to be “vigilant at all times.” Because…… how did we get to Advent already?! Where did this snow come from?! Why is it so dark outside?! In preparation for this reflection, I had to double check the dates and liturgical calendar. I guess my reaction is very fitting for the message taken from today’s gospel. I need to wake up!
I know Advent gets a reputation for being the season of waiting - a time to calm ourselves and focus on the coming of Jesus. Even as that always stands true each year, a more apt title could also be the season of vigilance or the season of readiness. It’s so tempting in my daily life to live more on my heels and let things come to me than to be on edge of my seat and in a state of constant concern and worry. We find lots of comfort in just waiting for the inevitable - Jesus has already lived, died, risen, and ascended, so why fake this anticipation?
It all comes back to vigilance. We might think that all is as planned and surely faith is what leads us to have the strong belief that God is always vigilant for us. Yet, Jesus instructs his disciples even while in their very presence to be ready at any time for anything. He knew that they would need to stand firm in the face of coming tribulations. Maybe then Jesus also knew that even after 2000 years we would need to be encouraged to stay alert as those tribulations continue to be faced.
Imagine you are driving cross country to visit your family for Christmas. You know the destination, you’ve planned out the road to get there, yet you never are quite sure of the obstacles and detours that might be ahead of you. But that’s the difference of being drivers and passengers on our journey. God gives us the stearing wheel, the freedom to choose where we go - thus we must be ever vigilant of the road as we carefully arrive to our destination, our home.
So as much as we begin this Advent season in peace to approach the Silent Night, we are reminded today we should not let this attitude lull us asleep in faith, but alert us of the importance of this time of year.
May the action we take today be a step in the direction of being prepared, yet not anxious. A step towards the strength of knowing Jesus is our foundation and also who we await in holy anticipation. Mat the Lord of our lives bless us with a vigilant spirit as we drive along this Advent(ure).
Couldn’t hold back the pun.
-Joe Oliveri