New series of posts for all my readers. Since we have entered the season of Advent, I thought it would be appropriate to have four posts all about Advent, drawing from the gospels and other scripture passages.
Advent is a season that reminds us to be watchful. Of course we look forward to celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, but Advent also reminds us to be prepared for the second coming. Christ is coming and it will be at a time we don't expect as seen in last Sunday's gospel.
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Be watchful! Be alert!
You do not know when the time will come.
It is like a man traveling abroad.
He leaves home and places his servants in charge,
each with his own work,
and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch.
Watch, therefore;
you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming,
whether in the evening, or at midnight,
or at cockcrow, or in the morning.
May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping.
What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’”
Expect the Unexpected or you will miss it altogether. Through the scriptures we constantly see men and women who may not have known what the future held for them but were ready for it nonetheless. Abraham was sent by God to a land he did not know but he put his trust in God to lead the way. Noah was told to build the ark and he did not know what lay in store for his family on the other side, but he too trusted in God's plan. More importantly, The Blessed Virgin Mary received the most shocking news anyone could ever receive. Most would not believe what the angel Gabriel revealed to her but she placed herself completely in God's hands.
So how do we stay prepared for what is to come? The answer is Grace. That is why Christ came into the world in the first place, to bring Grace to all who would accept it. He gave us the Church. He gave us the Sacraments. We are prepared when we are in a state of Grace, which we attain when we participate in what Christ has freely given us. If you think this sounds simple, you're right. Christ made it blatantly obvious what we are meant to do. We just have to do it. Be prepared.
