Stay Awake! The Lord Is Near.
Today, we begin a new liturgical year with the beautiful season of Advent—a time of hope, expectation, and preparation. Advent reminds us that our Christian journey is not just about looking backward to the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, but also looking forward to His second coming in glory, and welcoming Him daily into our hearts.
1. Advent: A Season of Waiting
The word Advent means “coming.”
We wait for Christ who came, Christ who comes, and Christ who will come again.
But this waiting is not passive. It is not like waiting for a bus or waiting for a parcel. Advent calls us to an active, expectant, joyful waiting—the kind of waiting a parent experiences before the birth of a child; the kind of waiting filled with purpose and preparation.
2. The Call to Wake Up
In today’s Gospel (Matthew 24:37-44), Jesus tells us:
“Stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord will come.”
This is not meant to scare us. It is meant to awaken us.
Many times, we fall asleep spiritually.
We become comfortable.
We get distracted.
We delay conversion.
We postpone prayer.
We allow sin to settle like dust in a house left unattended.
Jesus is inviting us to wake up:
- Wake up from spiritual laziness.
- Wake up from resentment and unforgiveness.
- Wake up from gossip, bitterness, and bad habits.
- Wake up from anything that blocks our relationship with God.
Advent is the alarm clock that rings loudly:
“Rise from your slumber. The Lord is near.”
3. The Example of Noah
Jesus uses the story of Noah to remind us that many were living ordinary lives—eating, drinking, marrying—until the flood came.
The message is clear:
Life may seem ordinary, but God is always at work.
His coming is certain, even if the timing is unknown.
We must be ready not out of fear
but out of love.
4. How Do We Stay Awake?
St. Paul, in the second reading (Romans 13:11-14), gives us practical steps:
a. Cast off darkness
Let go of sins that keep us far from God—envy, lust, pride, anger, dishonesty, impurity.
b. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ
This means living each day as a true child of God:
- Pray intentionally
- Attend Mass faithfully
- Love more deeply
- Forgive more freely
- Serve more generously
- Live with purpose, not carelessness
c. Prepare your heart
Just as we clean our homes for Christmas, Advent invites us to clean our souls:
- Through confession
- Through charity
- Through intentional holiness
5. Advent Hope
The candles of the Advent wreath symbolize hope, peace, joy, and love.
Today, we light the Candle of Hope.
This world is filled with uncertainty—wars, economic struggles, fear, moral decline.
But Advent whispers:
“God is still with us. Emmanuel never leaves His people.”
Our hope is not in governments, money, or power.
Our hope is in the One coming to save us.
Conclusion
As we begin this Advent season, let us ask:
- What areas of my life need waking up?
- What spiritual laziness must I overcome?
- What relationship needs healing?
- What habits do I need to change?
- How can I prepare a home for Jesus in my heart?
May this Advent not be just another season…
But a new beginning,
a renewal,
a spiritual awakening.
“Stay awake! The Lord is near.”
Amen.