We are about to enter a new liturgical season: Advent. This period is a time of preparation for the arrival of Jesus – Christmas, which requires us to engage in two types of preparation. 

1. Immediate 

2. Remote preparation refers to the second coming of Jesus. The term ADVENT is derived from ‘Adventus,’ which means coming or arrival. In Greek, it is translated as ‘Parousia,’ indicating the second coming of Jesus. 

Advent encompasses two interpretations for Christians: the first and second coming of Jesus. Countless generations awaited the first coming of Jesus, and after His resurrection and ascension, we look forward to His second coming.

Few people, including Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the magis, recognised Jesus when He was born. However, the prominent individuals were unable to recognise Jesus or did not think that he would return; they were unable to comprehend who the Messiah was. 

There will be no question in our minds that Jesus is the Saviour when He reappears, and we shall bow down before Him. He will lead us to the new Promised Land

 (CCC) Catechism of the Catholic Church: 524

When the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior’s first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for his second coming. By celebrating the precursor’s birth and martyrdom, the Church unites herself to his desire: “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

CCC elaborates, just before the coming of the Messiah, who will come in glor; John the Baptist prepared the way; who was rejected, humiliated, imprisoned, persecuted and killed.  The role of preparing the way for the coming of Jesus is now taken up by the Church, (we the people) will also go through the same as John the Baptist. Even at the cost of losing everything we have, we should exalt our Messiah.

There are groups of people in the world who prorogate that Jesus has come, we would not worry about it. We will all see the Messiah at the same time, when He arrives.

Philippians 2:10-11

“So at the name of Jesus every knee shall bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth”. And every tongue should confess the Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Mark 13:33-37

“Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come.” It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch.

Therefore, keep awake, for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening or at midnight or at cockcrow or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”

‘Time’ emphasis – temptation, work of the devil meaning negative and positive meaning coming of the Messiah. 

There are two categories of individuals highlighted in this passage: first, the servants within the household that represents the people of God, and second, the doorkeeper. Jesus is delivering this message to the doorkeepers—His apostles—who are also considered servants. The responsibility of the doorkeeper, those responsible for the souls of individuals, remain vigilant and be alert; indirectly, this also serves as a message to all of God’s servants.

It is the duty of the doorkeeper to unsure unwanted people don’t enter the Church, it should not be used as a marketplace. Evil should not enter in the name of enculturation. The phrase the master will come at “night” has two meanings: everyone is asleep at night, it’s a time for relaxation, we take things for granted, and the world is dark. The master will arrive at night. We should therefore be alert and vigilant. 

Jesus is telling everyone to “be awake and alert” since He will arrive at an unexpected moment, not just the doorkeepers. Jesus placed a great deal of responsibility on God’s servants to maintain order in the Church and guard it against intrusion and outside attacks. 

Many of our door keepers have failed in this responsibility, knowingly or unknowingly we have permitted infiltrations in the house of the Lord. 

Let us examine and ask ourselves, if we have allowed others to infiltrate into the house of God? Did we compromise and adulterate our faith?

We have now entered into the Second Advent – the coming of the Messiah. 

Mark 14:33-39

He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be distressed and agitated. And he said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake”. And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. He said, ‘’Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.” He came and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, ‘Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour? Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’’ 

Jesus is emphasizing the same message again: “keep awake.” The Messiah was enduring suffering while He hoped His disciples would be in prayer. All of us disciples must recognize that the body of Jesus is in agony and is bleeding. The Church is facing persecution in various nations such as Syria, Iraq, Nigeria, and the Gulf. However, we, the disciples, are busy sleeping; the Lord is asking us, can’t we manage to stay awake for even an hour to pray for the bleeding, wounded, and suffering Church?

Jesus understands that we all desire to be alert, yet our bodies are weak. We should not delay our repentance and confessions; we should strive to be holy. Even though our flesh may be weak, the moment we sin, we should seek confession. When we stumble, let’s pick ourselves up and ‘be awake’. To grow spiritually, we need to be trained and consistently practice sacrifices. Therefore, the Church offers us twenty-five days of Advent, forty days of Lent, and every Friday as opportunities for penance, as well as days of obligation and other activities that support our spiritual growth. How many of us actually implement these practices?

Some of us might view these activities as a way to give up bad habits. However, sacrificing bad habits is an obligation. We should strive to eliminate all harmful habits not just during Lent, but at all times. The Church advocates for self-control over our bodies during sacred days through abstinence. If we cannot be faithful in managing the minor aspects of our bodies, how can we expect to be entrusted with greater gifts, such as the everlasting gifts of the Holy Spirit? By engaging with the Gospel readings, we can gain a deeper understanding of the meaning of God’s word, which serves as valuable training. Let us participate in physical acts of sacrifice, abstaining, and so on. Let us reflect and question whether we are prepared for the second coming of Jesus.

Transcribed by Durriya Alphonso