ADVENT...
Let us keep our door open. Our Lord is coming.
"ADVENT" literally means "COMING".
We understand this coming as JESUS' birth, two thousand years ago. We call it His coming in history.
But "Advent" reminds us also of the continuous coming of Jesus in our everyday life,wherever his love is at work.
The Gospel tells us of another coming of Jesus in the world: His very last coming, His return in glory at the end of this world. The end of the world will be the definitive salvation of humanity and of the world.
Jesus makes some suggestions as to how we can concretely prepare for His coming in our everyday life.
He begins by saying: "watch yourselves... do not let your minds be dulled by dissipation and drunkenness and worldly cares" (Luke 21,34).
Our life is a very busy one. We have much to do. Many things call for our attention and keep us occupied. Yet, Jesus tells us to keep a watch on ourselves,and never forget what is most important in our life.
Then Jesus continues: "Be on alert,praying all the times".
To be vigilant does not mean, of course, that we should be on our guard day and night. And praying cannot mean that we have to recite prayers all the time.Rather, Jesus asks us to become attentive to what really matters in life.He asks us to desire, to beg, to pray to God that we may carry through what will really benefit our salvation, our true happiness, our eternal life.
*** Let us pray... "Jesus, my Lord, make me know your ways. Make me walk in your truth. Make me vigilant in prayer. Walk with me on the road You have shown me. Increase my longing for You, and give me the strenght to grow in love. Amen.