It is the Hour Now to Awake from Sleep
By Deacon Rod Knight
“It is the hour now for you to awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” What are we doing? Are we clocking in and out at the holy water font, paying our dues, and letting the body of Christ know we are here? My life has been filled with opportunities to do things that I would rather not. Mass is NOT one of those things, service to others is NOT one of those things, and love is NOT one of those things. These are gifts and occasions to adore and serve the Lord!
As we begin this Advent, are we preparing for the coming of Jesus Christ? Let’s wake from our sleep and shake off any laxity. We should spend our entire lives as Advent, in preparation for the coming of Christ.
“They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away. So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man.” Do we want to be carried away by the flood to an eternal demise? “Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.” Are we hoping to pull off a Saint Dismas (the Good Thief), to get it right at the last moments of our life? What if we suffer a sudden death? We all know that death will come. As Catholics we all know that Jesus Christ will come. So why do we procrastinate? Are we taking God’s mercy for granted. Remember He is a just God, accept His mercy or accept His judgement. Death stalks us like a shadow, circles over us like a vulture, our days are numbered, we must reflect on that and make any changes we need to so when we encounter God face to face we may hear “well done, my good and faithful servant” as opposed to “I never knew you, depart from Me”.
Please listen to this hypocrite’s cry. I have spent much of my life like Saul, in these latter days I have seen the light. I am grateful for God’s forgiveness and love of His creation. Do not let the devil lure us into the sin of presumption. May we seek perfect contrition over imperfect contrition.
May we seek the Eucharist, the Confessional, a greater love, a desire for our Creator. “Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord”.
Advent Prayer by
Deacon Greg Kandra
“Dear Jesus, the world is waiting-come! As the days darken and the nights lengthen, I turn to the skies and look for light and plan for the moment of Your birth. Like Your mother, I wait and watch. Lord, help me to be more like her-patient, thoughtful, and deliberate. Help me, like Mary, to be ready for You. When I become frenzied, bring me peace. When I am too busy with planning, remind me to be still. When I feel stressed, keep me calm. When I am feeling the cold, warm my heart with hope. In the excitement of this season, help me to remember that the beauty of Advent is different from the beauty of Christmas and that Advent brings its own quiet glory. As I light the candles of my wreath; may I work to welcome You into the world, most especially into my heart and mind and actions, not only now but also in every season. The world is waiting, Lord come! Amen”.