Some of us may have been asleep for quite a while. Instead of growing in faith and in relationship with God, we may have been dormant or inactive. Some do the minimal and seem focused more on wealth, success, fame, fortune, etc. of this world. But for how long can we be in this state of sleepiness? We may be awake physically, but are we truly awake spiritually?
As we begin a new Liturgical Year on this 1st Sunday of Advent, and as we prepare to say goodbye to this year, let us take this opportunity, as the Second Reading tells us today, to change our lives and to "wake up for our salvation is even nearer; let us give up all the things we prefer to do under cover of the dark; let us arm ourselves and appear in the light. Let us live decently as people do in the daytime."
Throughout this year, we need to ask ourselves thoroughly and honestly: have we changed and become better persons? Have we become closer to God? Have we learnt to be more forgiving and loving? Have we learnt to be more patient, especially towards our family, loved ones, elders, etc.? If we have failed in one way or another to improve ourselves in any of these areas and more, let us wake up and take stock of our lives.
Jesus warns us in today's Gospel to "stay awake, because you do not know the day when your master is coming" and we "must stand ready because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." Are we going to allow ourselves to be caught off-guard? Or have we been making preparations spiritually to meet our loving God? Let us not pass the many opportunities given to us to grow spiritually, lest we find ourselves left out and have only ourselves to blame.
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