Lasallian Reflections, First Sunday of Advent

First Sunday of Advent

How fitting that the Scripture for this First Sunday of Advent contains the words of Jesus to his disciples: “Be watchful! Be alert!”  And it is in this spirit that we remind ourselves of our dependency on God and that God is so closely involved in our lives.  The unknowns in our life make us aware of just how much of our life is lived in the context of mystery  – outside our control.

Advent is also the beginning of God’s dependency on us for bringing the divine Word to life.  Jesus invites us in Advent to be alert to the signs of his presence in the unfolding mystery of our own lives.  In his Third Meditation for the Time of Retreat, De La Salle tells us “All the good that you are able to do in your work for those entrusted to you will be true and effective only insofar as Jesus Christ gives it his blessing and as you remain united with him.”   How important it is for us to get into the habit of watching for Christ in his daily comings.  Keeping vigil for Christ’s coming may be difficult at times and we may be tempted to give up hope that Christ can or will come.  And we may feel keenly the absence of God.  But, in our patience through the darkness, we have the spiritual strength to stay alert and wait for the dawn of Christ’s coming.

And we must be alert.  God needs us to keep our eyes wide open so that we can see those who are discouraged and help them by being a light in the dark of their night; a comforting hand on a troubled shoulder; a guide to one who is lost.