December 1, 2019 – First Sunday of Advent
Today we begin the season of Advent, a time of preparation. We are, of course, preparing for the coming of Jesus at Christmas, but we often forget that we are also preparing for the second coming: “He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead…”
The Gospel for today focuses on Jesus’ efforts to prepare us, to alert us: “You do not know when the time will come.”
We should not interpret these words to mean that we should passively await His coming. We cannot merely be observers. There is more to it. We are called to be active participants.
Prepare is an action verb. The Gospel speaks to this sense of active participation, this responsibility, as well: “Be watchful! Be alert!” and “He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his own work…”
Don’t allow Advent to happen. Make it happen!