Many people think of Advent merely as being “pre-Christmas” time: office parties, shopping, decorating, and baking. But for the Church, Advent is a time of preparation—not only for the Christmas Feast, but also for the Second Coming of the Lord at the end of time.
Today, St. Luke presents Our Lord’s apocalyptic vision with images of cosmic upheaval, universal turmoil, and calamities—signs of the Lord’s coming in majesty and power and as Judge. An ancient hymn called it a “Dies Irae”—a day of wrath. Here are a few lines: “How great will be the quaking, when the Judge is about to come, to examine all in strict justice…What shall I, frail man, be pleading, who for me shall be interceding, when the just are mercy needing?” The truth is that our life will end and we shall be judged.
This is not a truth we easily embrace, in fact, we avoid thinking about it at all. As a result, it is easy to slither into a spiritual lethargy, a spiritual complacency. During these first days of Advent, the Church intends to rouse us from this complacency and to prepare us. Taking the Lord’s words to heart, the Church urges us to approach life seriously, distinguishing between what is priceless and what is worthless, between what is eternal and what is fleeting. What was said about St. Anthony the Abbot, should be said of us: “He endeavored each day to present himself as the sort of person ready to appear before God.”
How do we get to that point? The prospect of appearing before God should not be frightening. We need not tremble if we cultivate our spiritual life in four key ways: Personal, daily prayer; reverent and attentive participation at Mass; making a regular sacramental Confession; and being devoted to Our Lady and the Saints.
These are the practices that will allow us, as the Lord says, to confidently “stand erect and raise our heads” before our Lord and Judge whenever he should come. Perhaps this could be our prayer:
Lord, I do not know when you shall call me from this life but I hope it will not be soon! By giving me a little more time you will be giving me another chance to convert myself, to purify my heart. Time is your gift to me. Let my time be a time of change, and of deep trust in your mercy. By your grace keep me ever vigilant and ready for your coming! Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!
