“Stay awake!”
In the Gospel for this first Sunday of Advent, we hear Jesus tell us to stay awake.
What does this mean?
Many people stayed awake last Thursday night in order to get early deals on Black Friday.
Is this what Jesus meant?
A month from now people will be staying up late to watch a giant crystal ball drop in Times Square in order to welcome the New Year.
Is this what Jesus meant?
In the Gospel we are encouraged to stay awake spiritually.
Advent is a period of time in our liturgical year that serves as a reminder of the important truth of our faith that Jesus is coming again. The very word “Advent” means “coming towards.” Jesus is coming, and all throughout Advent we are reminded to stay awake.
We stay awake by the way we live our lives. St. Paul stresses this in his letter to the Romans. He writes, “Brothers and sisters: You know the time; it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed; the night is advanced, the day is at hand. Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day.”
Advent is meant to be a time to detach from the desires of the flesh so that we can become more attached to God, who is the fulfillment of all of our desires.
As the liturgical color changes in Advent, it is a good reminder and opportunity to reflect on the direction of our lives and change what needs to be changed.
So, what does it mean to stay awake?
It means a changed life that is conformed to Jesus Christ, who has come among us, and eagerly anticipates his coming again when we will “go rejoicing into the house of the Lord.”
Father Przybilla is pastor of St. Charles Borromeo in St. Anthony.
Sunday, December 8
Second Sunday of Advent
