Stay Awake

Advent has begun as of 4 pm yesterday. St. Paul and Jesus both greet us with the admonition to be awake during this season:  "You know the time: it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep." (Rm 13:11).  "Therefore, stay awake!" (Mt 24: 42). Easy to say, but work to do.  Perhaps looking at this First Sunday of Advent, the beginning of the new liturgical year, we might make some Advent Resolutions as we do on New Years' Day.  What will help us prepare or hearts to receive Jesus not only on Christmas, because he has already come, but also each day?  How will we blend our wills with his?  How will we return his boundless love?  How will we see him in our neighbor, in ourselves?  What will take us a step closer to being like him?
We might begin by "slowing down"..taking our time when we do things, pray, or talk with people.  We might take little "retreat breaks" during the day, shutting off the noise around and within us, and simply pray, "Come, Lord Jesus."  We might, like Mary, ponder the events of the past year, past  Advents and Christmases, and give thanks over and over for the immeasurable blessings God has given us.  The readings for Advent, the Music, the little Advent booklets we might find, service to Lazarus House, Cor Unum or the St. Vincent de Paul Society, all of these are ways to STAY AWAKE!
Bro. Rene