Happy New Year! No, it's not January 1, but it is the First Sunday of Advent, the beginning of a new liturgical year. And no matter what year it is, the theme of Advent is always the same. Jesus says it in today's Gospel reading from Mark 15.
"Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come." He then goes on to talk about a man who goes away and leaves his servants in charge, not knowing when he will return.
I don't have servants, so I thought of this in a different way, one that you may relate to. Have you ever called a service company and been given a "window" as to when they will be there? For me, it's rarely at the beginning of the window. Often, it's not even in the window. So I wait anxiously, but as time goes on, I lose hope that they will ever show up. We cannot let that happen with the return of the Lord. I can assure you of this window: Jesus will return sometime between now and when He returns. Take that to the bank!
Father, help us stay watchful and alert, never losing hope in the Jesus' return. Amen.
LOL!! Ya’ got me Gus – watching at the window for the Amazon Prime truck and my wife’s birthday (today!) present. Of course, it was supposed to be here two days ago and has been postponed twice.
I am so very grateful that her priority is Mass, reading our Little Blue Book of Advent, attending an Advent Lady’s Tea at church this afternoon – and dinner together tonight.