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Gospel of Mark 13:33-37
Jesus said to his disciples:“Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. It is like a man traveling abroad. He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his own work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch. Watch, therefore; you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning. May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’”
Last night, my mother and I attended Dallas Arboretum's The 12 Days of Christmas" special holiday night exhibit. I've never been to the Arboretum after-dark, so this was quite a treat! What a great start to the Season of Advent: Spending time with my mother and sharing our love of the gardens together.
I found out a few years ago that the "Twelve Days of Christmas" carol was written in England during a turbulent time period when Catholics were unable to practice their faith openly. The song was used as a catechism for young children. The partridge in the pear tree symbolizes Jesus Christ, the son of God. (Click here for an explanation of the other symbols in the song.)
At the time this carol was written, I imagine all of the Catholic children singing and dancing around with delight. They giggled among themselves knowing they possessed hidden knowledge little Protestant children had no clue about!
Welcome Advent In today's gospel from Mark, Jesus commands his disciples, "Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come." In our busy schedules, we can become lazy and indifferent toward our faith. We may not mean for this to happen but it does. (Yes, no excuse!) We get so bogged down in life that we forget about the creator of life. We need to be literally shaken back into Christian reality. The Season of Advent helps us do just that!! The main theme throughout these four weeks is watchfulness, alertness, and preparedness.
Be watchful Look around you. What do you see? Do you notice others around you or are you knee deep in your own business? Be watchful! Observe your surroundings. Does someone need a helping hand? Do your children need guidance? Does a coworker need someone to talk to? Are you looking after your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ? By remaining watchful, you observe life's finer details. These details are often overlooked, yet they can be life savers for those who suffer.
Be alert I see billboards along the freeway advising drivers to "Don't Drink and Drive" and "Don't Text While Driving." These messages alert us of the common dangers that lead to traffic accidents. Do we alert others to dangers of the faith? The Catholic Church is on attack 24/7 with negative propaganda and misinterpretation of church teachings. Are we aware of this or do we turn a blind eye to it? Be alert to attacks against the faith, and alert others of the Christian truth!
Be prepared Treat each day as if it were your last. Be kind, forgiving and loving toward others. Focus on the good qualities in people rather than on the bad. Make a conscience effort to pray more and dive into the Sacraments with a new fervor and vigilance!
Let us embark on a new Catholic "Liturgical Year " resolution: To strive toward holiness by being mindful and caring of others; love God with our whole mind, heart and strength!
-J.
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