1st Sunday of Advent
Gospel – Luke 21:25-28,34-36
“Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to stand with confidence before the Son of Man”. Jesus is giving clear instructions how to wait for the Lord. This is equally applicable to the advent we are entering to and also to the final coming of our Lord. So, it is: staying awake – being vigilant; praying at all times – to keep alive the relationship with God; to stand with confidence – to have absolute trust in the Lord. These are the ways by which we prepare ourselves for Christmas. Staying awake, calls for vigilance and attentiveness. Advent is a time to be aware of God’s presence in our lives and the world around us. Being spiritually awake means recognizing the signs of God’s love and responding to His call in our daily actions. Secondly prayer keeps our relationship with God alive and thriving. During Advent, we are invited to deepen our connection with Him through moments of quiet reflection, community prayers, and acts of gratitude. This is followed by the absolute trust in the Lord empowers us to face challenges with hope. By grounding ourselves in faith, we can approach the coming celebrations and the trials of life with assurance in God’s promises. These instructions from Jesus provide a roadmap for Advent, a season of spiritual renewal, expectation, and joy. By embracing vigilance, prayer, and trust, we prepare our hearts to welcome the birth of Christ and remain steadfast in hope for His ultimate return. Let’s reflect: As I journey through this Advent season, how can I cultivate vigilance, deepen my prayer life, and strengthen my trust in God to prepare my heart for the birth of Christ and His ultimate return?
Don Giorgio