Reflection for Sunday November 29, First Sunday of Advent: Mark 13:33-37

Gospel: Mark 13:33-37

Jesus said to his disciples: “Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. It is like a man traveling abroad. He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his own work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch. 

Watch, therefore; you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning. May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’”

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Reflection:

When the first case of Covid-19 was discovered in Wuhan China last year (December 2019) many countries were warned to be prepared, watchful and alert. Why? Because this disease could become a pandemic and could cause havoc, deaths and disruption to the world economy. A number of countries prepared immediately putting in place health and security protocols. But many countries did not prepare they even dismissed it as nothing. Thus, they dearly paid for their dismissive reaction.      

What does it mean to be watchful and alert? It means to always be prepared for anything that may happen or arrive. But why do we need to be watchful and alert? Why not simply become passive and complacent? We need to be watchful and alert because this is what Jesus wants us to do for He will manifest His presence to us at any moment of our lives. 

Today is the first Sunday of Advent. Advent means coming or arrival of something very important. What is the significance of this command of Jesus for us? We too are being encouraged by Jesus to be watchful and prepared for His coming.  But how should we prepare? 

First is by submitting ourselves to the Healing Sacrament of Reconciliation. All of us are sinful; we sin through our Thoughts, Words and Actions. These many sins that we commit make us ill prepared for the coming of the Lord.    

Second is we have to forgive those who caused us pain no matter how severe the pain that they’ve caused us. This is very difficult to do but if we say that we know Jesus then we must be prepared to embody the infinite forgiveness of Jesus. By doing so we bring Jesus to them and who knows it may be through us that they will have an awareness of the living presence of Jesus. 

Third, we must renew our lives, we therefore have to walk away from anything that makes us sin. Sin by its mere appearance is actually attractive and enticing. But beneath its attractive and enticing appearance is a destructive force that can cost us enormously if we will not completely walk away from it.    

Are you already watchful and alert for the coming of the Lord?  - Marino J. Dasmarinas