Stay Awake

"Stay Awake." Fitting words for a Monday morning. The first weeks of Advent keep nudging us to be alert, watch, stay awake, for the Lord is coming. Yes, the Lord is coming at the end of time, and is with us at all times. Each time we receive Holy Communion, Jesus is especially present and intimate with us. Each time we encounter others, the presence of God in them leaps out at us. We, in our busyness, however, often miss the gift. We do so much by rote, by habit, and in a hurry. It's amazing to see how our minds can be a million miles away, for example, at Mass with the switch to "And with your spirit." We can even have the card in hand, our mind drifts for a moment, and out comes, "and also with you." Did you notice? So with our intention to spend "more time" with God during Advent, by slowing down and trying to be aware of his presence during our ordinary routines, we slip and slide all over the place as pre-occupation and distraction push and shove us away from our Advent goals. The call to stay awake, be alert, is well-founded, well-placed and necessary to "keep us on task." And this is when we need to stop and ask for help to "stay awake" and perk up in God's presence. A simple prayer would be: God, help me to stay awake. Thanks. Amen.
Bro. Rene