Dear brothers and sisters, I wish to propose to start this season of advent, meditating on the theme “staying awake”. The term advent means “coming”, the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ. This annual celebration is not a casual act put for granted but a moment put during the year to remind us that with the coming of Christ in the world through incarnation, hope, God’s consolation comes to us amidst our tribulation, suffering, pains, struggle, misunderstanding, difficulties etc. However, this coming equally reminds us to “stay wake” or better still “to be vigilant”. This does not mean, being physically awake but having one’s heart free and facing the right direction. Our hearts sometimes are made asleep by our sins, weaknesses or by the tempting offers of the World. Pope Francis says the slumbers which we must awaken is constituted of indifference, of vanity, of inability to establish genuine relationships. The readings of today invite us to stay awake.
In the gospel, Jesus uses the scenario of Noel to remind us of constant vigilance. Before the flood, men were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day that Noah entered the ark. They did not know until the flood came and carried them away. They gospel tells us that “they did not know”, they were indifferent. Sometimes we are immersed in time that we forget eternity. We go on with our daily workings and entertainment that we forget eternity, taking care of the body and forgetting the soul, taking care of external factors and forgetting our inner life. Staying awake means being vigilant on those things that dull our hearts. Saint Paul in the Second reading, will say that it means, throwing the works of darkness and putting on the armor of light, conducting ourselves properly as in the day, not in orgies and darkness, not in promiscuity and lust, not in rivalry and jealousy but putting on the Lord and making no provision for the desires of the flesh.
Therefore, as the first reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah says, let us climb the mountain of the Lord, so that he may instruct us on his ways and make us walk in his path. For from Zion shall go forth instruction and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. This instruction is actualized in the teachings of Christ to us which is found in the bible. Let us, throughout this moment of advent, with the help of the bible, interrogate ourselves on what might be causing our spiritual drowsiness; distractions and temptations that anesthetize our hearts. Furthermore, not only being aware of these areas that causes spiritual sluggishness but making small but constant efforts to become better persons. Let us equally ask God for the strength and grace to stay awake amidst various temptations, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
NGALA AUSTIN KANJO
Piarist