Advent, wake up!
story is told about a man who spent a good deal of time in front of the TV. Once as he was watching basketball game, he dozed off.
His wife was surprised to find him the next morning before the TV set sleeping on his rocking chair. She shook him and said, “Wake up...it’s 20 to 7!”
Startled, the husband blurted out, “Who’s leading?”
Today is the first Sunday of Advent, the beginning of the Church’s liturgical calendar. The call is to “wake up” (Mk 13,34) or “be watchful.”
“Waking up” does not mean that we are literally in state of dormition – although some people are perennially in that state! What the Lord is saying is: Are we doing our task and responsibilities faithfully when the Master comes and demands an accounting of our life?
The word “Advent” comes from the Latin “adventum” which means literally “coming.”
For many, Advent refers to the coming of Sta. Claus, Christmas bonuses, endless parties, and gift-giving. All this is part of the Christmas tradition but Advent reminds us, too, of the Lord’s coming at the end of the world or his coming when he takes us in death.
As Jesus puts it: “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but suffers the loss of his own soul?” (Mt 16,26).
There is a true story of Virgil Mendoza (not his real name) who had taken to drinking for 34 years.
“I often wondered how I drove home late at night and arrived in one piece. My coming home drunk often sparked bitter fights and quarrels.
“Along with drinking, I also smoked heavily. A lot of my money literally went up in smoke.”
Then crises began to strike. First, it started with a case filed by the bank for malversation of funds. Forced to quit his high-paying job, he engaged in a business, hoping to recover his losses but it failed miserably. He was compelled to sell his car and other possessions.
Some friends invited the couple to join a Marriage Encounter (ME), hoping it would straighten their troubled lives. Ray scoffed at the idea, saying, “What I need is money, not such useless activities.”
But due to the pestering invitation of friends, Virgil relented.
In the three-day weekend seminar, Virgil’s eyes were opened to his many faults, weaknesses, and failures. He cried and felt so ashamed of himself. It was a spiritual AWAKENING.
He turned completely a new life and gave up his vices. His spiritual transformation also gave him blessings of material success, happiness, and inner peace. Virgil and his wife are now active in spreading the good news of family renewal, inspiring a lot of troubled couples by their life testimony. ASK YOURSELF: Am I faithful in my God-given task as a religious leader, a parent, or a government official whether occupying a lowly or a lofty position? Is my life characterized by the values of honesty and moral uprightness? Or, is it characterized by greed for money as well as greed for power as shown in political dynasties lording it over their turfs in the coming election? Human as we are, we need to be reminded of our spiritual obligations and Christ’s moral teachings. We need CONTINUING RENEWAL. Advent is the best time and opportunity for it. It is also the best preparation for Christmas.
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