Be Ready

A Reflection on the Gospel for November 27, 2022:
The First Sunday of Advent

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Matthew
24.37-44
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Jesus spoke to his disciples: “As the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left.

“Keep awake, therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.”

I’m someone who likes to always be prepared. I keep a fully stocked hurricane kit in our apartment. When I travel, I have a schedule that runs down to the minute with all my plans. I make lists for everything from Christmas shopping to meal plans. But even I feel overwhelmed thinking about how to prepare for the end of all things. 
 
Jesus warns us that no one knows when the end will arrive. This means that those who claim they’ve got the secret – 2012! Or is it 2000? Or was it 1881? – have all been wrong so far. I do understand the desire to be in control, to know what’s coming, to be able to predict the future. I love spoilers – it drives my husband crazy sometimes when I get curious about a movie we’re watching and just look up the plot summary. We know that one day, Jesus will return and the world as we know it will end. What’s missing is when, and that’s deliberate. We can’t put this off – we need to prepare now. 
 
The readings for the first week of Advent often seem strange. While the world prepares for Christmas by shopping and decorating, we as Catholics prepare by reflecting on the end of the world as we know it. It’s a reminder to keep things in perspective and avoid getting so caught up in our day-to-day tasks and busyness that we forget what is truly important. I found myself thinking about how much work I put into getting ready for Christmas as a holiday – the hours spent making gift lists, shopping, choosing outfits, planning gatherings with family and friends. These aren’t bad things, but they can distract me from time spent preparing for the birth of Jesus. 
 
It's common for people to see Lent as a spiritual reset – people give up something they feel too attached to, add a new prayer habit, take up a fast, or give alms. Advent is a great opportunity to do the same. In past Advents, I’ve spent more time reading scripture, added ten minutes of prayerful listening to my prayer routine, or received the sacrament of Reconciliation. These are just a few of the many ways we can prepare our hearts for the birth and eventual return of Jesus. By drawing closer to Him, we remind ourselves that the many worries and stresses of this world are temporary, but His love for us is forever. 
 
This year, I’ve decided to commit to praying a daily Examen – a Jesuit form of prayer that is prayed at the end of each day, reflecting on the ways my actions that day brought me closer to or further away from God. It takes me about ten minutes and is a wonderful way to reset at the end of each day and recommit to starting fresh tomorrow in my faith. I encourage all our readers to find their own way to make space for spiritual preparation this Advent.




Jenna Young

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