BE PREPARED

BE PREPARED – 1^st Sunday of Advent, Year A

            People can and do undergo sudden changes in their personal lives. The circumstances and conditions of life can change for the better or for the worse. Sudden deaths, accidents, good fortune, new experiences, new graces, new growth and new life do happen. While some things in life seem to remain the same, most things that are alive are changing. There is truth in the saying that change is the only thing constant. Constant change is a law of human life. All of us are changing constantly and continuously. We are the same and yet different. Just as the earth evolves, so do we. Just as the earth undergoes continual changes in its climate and weather conditions, so do we.

            We need to be able to deal with change in our life, and to be prepared for changes without being anxious or insecure about them. Change is good. Life would become unbearable and extremely boring if everything and everybody stayed the same year in and year out. We need the changes of the seasons. Can you imagine what life would be like if there was no change of seasons, all sun, all rain, all cold, all hot? We expect changes. If there were no changes, there would be no need for preparations.

            The first Sunday of Advent reminds us of coming spiritual events we need to be especially ready for. Advent means coming. The comings of the Lord are often sudden and unexpected in some special grace, some deeper presence of the Lord in our life, some new work, or some new call. Jesus taught that His coming would be a repeat of what happened in Noah’s day. The people went about their normal lives, and many of them laughed at Noah who spent his time building a boat during a time of drought. They remained unconcerned until the flood of waters began to come. Jesus warns us to be ready. The Lord comes when we least expect Him.

            We know great truths from our faith about the future just as the Old Testament did about theirs. They knew the Messiah was to be born in their midst. They knew Israel would play an important part in God’s plan, and that other nations would see the light shining in Jerusalem and would be drawn to Jerusalem by and for the spiritual light. “All nations shall stream toward it…”

            We know Christ is the savior of the whole world. We know His Gospel, Kingdom, and Church are for everyone. We know the Lord comes continuously to us through the Person of the Holy Spirit. We know the Lord comes and will come to us through different people, experiences, graces and events. Many of God’s people know the truths of the faith and believe in them, and yet many live their lives unprepared for them when they happen in their lives. The sudden coming of the Lord for those who are ready is a wonderful experience. The only thing bad about any coming of the Lord is if we are not ready for it.

            We all know we have to die but we don’t know when. The worse thing about death would be if someone was living apart from the Lord and was unprepared to meet Him. For those walking in the light, the many comings of the Lord are joyful and welcome experiences. For those walking in the darkness of sin and sinful ways, the coming of the Lord is a dreaded and fearful experience.

            Paul sees those who are unprepared for the coming of the Lord as being spiritually asleep. He sees those who are doing the works of darkness, that is sin, as being unprepared. He wants to go and shake them to wake them up. “…it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed…”

            Spiritual preparation involves putting on the armor of light and casting off the deeds of darkness, that is “…conduct ourselves properly…not in orgies and drunkenness, not in promiscuity and lust, not in rivalry and jealousy”. These are important areas that find many people spiritually asleep and not ready for the coming of the Lord.

            Advent is a season for us to leave any darkness, walk in the light, and be prepared for the coming of the Lord. Let’s pray for the grace to be alert, prepared, and ready for the comings of the Lord. “…for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” Be prepared at all times!

Reflection from Divine Mercy #20

“I asked the souls in purgatory what their greatest suffering was. They answered me in one voice that their greatest torment was longing for God.”