Be Watchful, Be Alert

First Sunday of Advent - Year B

I guess many (not all) might not aware the calendar that we are using called Gregorian Calendar. Gregorian calendar, also known as Western calendar is internationally the most widely used civil calendar. Interestingly, it is named for Pope Gregory XIII, who introduced it in 1582. The introduction of the Gregorian calendar was a refinement to the Julian Calendar.  

Usually, each new year begin with the month of January, but for us Christian, our new year start with the season of advent. Yes, today we begin the season of Advent, a new liturgical year for us, Christian. Advent is a season observed in many churches as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of Christmas. 

Besides that, Advent celebrates primarily two comings. The first coming of Christ in Bethlehem over two thousand years ago. The incarnation, the Word make flesh, the Word of God taking flesh, seems to be a fulfillment of what the Prophet Isaiah writes in today's first reading -  it is the prophecy of how the Lord "would tear the heavens open and come down." The whole of humanity who had waited for aeons for the coming of its deliverer, its new Joshua who will lead them to the Promised Land, is not disappointed, as the Saviour has indeed come - He is Jesus the Christ. But Advent does not only prepare us for the first coming which we commemorate every year at the Feast of Christmas, but also points us to the future, to Christ's second coming in glory, to judge and deliver the world from sin, evil and death. 

Our Christian faith is eschatological to its core. What do I mean by eschatological? The word 'eschatology' refers to the Last things that we had learnt in our catechism - heaven, hell, death and judgement, the four eschata. But the real focus of eschatology is the last thing, which is not exactly a thing, in the sense of being an event or an object - it is God himself, the Eschaton. God is the source and summit of our lives, he is the beginning and the end, the Alpha and the Omega. Eschatology is not purely confined to these vague, deeply profound and theological concepts of the future. Eschatology has everything to do with our present lives. The eschatological vision shapes our christian world-view. It reminds us that our objective and purpose in life does not reside in the past or even in the present, it is posited in the future. The final solution would not be found here in this life - the final solution can only be found in God. It provides us with a new benchmark of evaluating our priorities in life- are our preparations only for this earthly life or are they for eternal life? and finally, this eschatological dimension of our faith points to our basic orientation and disposition in life - how do we respond to Christ's coming? The answer is this - It is through watchfulness. 

But is this the kind of watchfulness which Jesus is speaking of? I guess that these are more distractions rather than authentic watchfulness. We are invited by the readings to watch for the Lord, and especially for his coming. Firstly, this requires patience because as Jesus noted, ‘you never know when the time will come.’ The problem is that our attention span is often too short. We constantly look for distractions or loose interest when results are not immediately forthcoming. In a world that seeks immediate gratification, quick final solutions are the only acceptable options. Patience teaches us to respect God's time and not dictate it. 

Watchfulness calls for fidelity or faithfulness to our duty. Take note that in today’s gospel, the image of the master entrusting the servants with a duty to watch for his coming, reminds all of us that being watchful is not just merely an individual vocation. The servants’ lack of watchfulness may cost the entire household its property or even the life of its members. We are called to be watchful not only for ourselves, but also for our family members, our children, future generations, our neighbours, our BEC members, our non-Christian friends, colleagues and everyone else. If we let down our guard, others apart from us will suffer too.

The third aspect of this watchfulness is expounded by St Paul in the second reading. He exhorts the Corinthians that while waiting for the Lord’s coming, to keep ready and without blame until the last day.’ Staying awake and being watchful means that we need to guard against sin. Sin dulls our senses to the promptings of God. Sin blinds us from recognizing Christ in our lives. Sin distracts us from waiting and watching for the Lord. That is why Advent is also a penitential period for the whole Church. It is a time for us to honestly search our hearts, seek the Lord’s forgiveness, celebrate His mercy and the gift of repentance in order to make ready the way for the Lord’s coming.

We should take Advent as seriously as a new mother takes her pregnancy. The Christmas season is not merely a memory, celebration, or blessing, but a new, extremely important encounter with the incarnate Jesus. St. Charles Borromeo taught: "This holy season (Advent) teaches us that Christ's coming was not only for the benefit of His contemporaries; His power has still to be communicated to us".

Therefore, our Advent preparation for Christmas is very important for God's kingdom, the Church, the world, the future, our families, and ourselves. "Our hearts should be as much prepared for this coming of Christ (Christmas) as if He were still to come into this world" (St. Charles Borromeo). Moreover, if we are not prepared for Christ's unique Christmas coming this year, we are not prepared for His coming at the end of the world. 

Consequently, "be constantly on the watch! Stay awake! You do not know when the appointed time will come" (Mk 13:33). "Wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor 1:7). Make this the best Advent ever, preparing for Christ's greatest Christmas coming of your life.