We have entered into the season of advent, a season of preparation and waiting. Whether we like it or not, waiting is a necessary part of our life. We wait in lines: at grocery stores and restaurants; at stop signs and traffic signals; at the bus station, train station or airport; to see a play or a movie. We wait for weekends and vacations, family reunions and gatherings at thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year.
We also see people waiting for their medical reports, patients waiting in hope for a cure for their terminal illness, students waiting for the results, the unemployed waiting for a new job. So waiting is part of life and there is no life without it. Statistics have estimated that in a lifetime of 70 years, the average person spends at least three years waiting.
The season of Advent puts a spiritual focus to this waiting – being prepared and waiting for Jesus. The things we wait for in this world will come and go, but watchfulness and being prepared in spiritual life affects our eternal life. During this season of advent, we consider the three comings of Christ.
When we think of Jesus coming, we often think of his second coming at the end of time – either the end of our own individual lives here on earth or the end of the world.
However I believe that he is also coming to us, but in less dramatic ways, in the many moments of daily life and experiences, as well as the encounters with people in our lives, and that can easily be MISSED. At every mass, Jesus comes in word and sacrament. In everyday life, he comes to us in a moment of prayer, in the smile of an infant or a young child, in the reassuring touch or presence of a dear friend, in the beauty of the nature and God’s creation, in the poor and the needy who cross our path, when family members gather together for a meal or for a conversation or when kindness, compassion, and forgiveness are shown and experienced.
Finally we are also asked to be prepared, as we soon celebrate the historical coming of Jesus as our Savior during Christmas. Unfortunately, many times our preparation for Christmas becomes a worldly and materialistic matter. Advent has become a time for material concerns, as we make sure we and our loved ones are not lacking in any gift item for the celebration of Christmas.
How sharply our attitude contrasts with that of the early Christians to whom St. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians chapter 1 verse 7. He says, “so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ“. Our world, the stores, and the advertisements all tell us that we should not lack in material gifs and St. Paul and the church remind us that we should not lack the spiritual gifts, should not forget the spiritual preparation during this holy season.
The season of advent invites us to be prepared and reminds us of the distractions that can take our attention away from what is important in life. I was reading a reflection from Fr. Thomas Iwanowski. He says, FM or Sirius XM radio, or any of the news channels, or Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, Messenger, YouTube, Instagram, and all other broadcast and digital services all have something in common.
They all want us to pay attention to the programs, messages, and images they set before our eyes and ears. They want our attention because while our minds are focused on their enticing content, they can cleverly direct our attention to the products they are selling or to the ideas and opinions they are advocating.
The success these social media companies have, in grabbing and holding our attention can be seen in the fact, that many people are unable to be separated from the devices that connect them to the digital world. They are afraid to miss a post, a notification, a like, a message, a tweet, or a new viral sensation. Such obsession with social media and sources of entertainment can distract us from what is far more important in life.
So our preparedness, our readiness is not just waiting for the final coming, but to be ready when Christ comes into our lives; in the form of the ordinary people and events of our everyday lives. So, when and where did you and I see Jesus in our life and in our encounters today? And how has that person – may be a patient, a client, a staff, a coworker, a friend, a family member OR a scripture passage, an event, an experience impacted our life? I think that is the best way to prepare to welcome the Lord whether he comes today, any day or on the Last Day.
Wishing you all God’s Blessings!
Father Sanjai
