Advent Reflection: "Be Watchful! Be Alert!”

For Catholics, the new Liturgical Year commences with the first Sunday of Advent. In this new liturgical year, the Church not only wishes to indicate the beginning of a period, but the beginning of a renewed commitment to the Faith by all those who follow Christ, the Lord. This time of prayer and penance gives us a renewed impetus to truly welcome the message of the One who was Incarnated for us. In fact, the entire Liturgy of the Advent season, will spur us to an awakening in our Christian life as we pray and joyously wait for Our Lord Jesus who is coming:

"Awaken! Remember that God comes! Not yesterday, not tomorrow, but today, now! The one true God, 'the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob', is not a God who is there in Heaven, unconcerned with us and our history, but he is the-God-who-comes" (Benedict XVI, First Vespers of Advent, Vatican Basilica, December 2006).

The season of Advent is one of vigilant anticipation, preparing us to welcome the mystery of the Word Incarnate. It enables us not only to celebrate this sacred event, but to incarnate it in our lives. We could say that the true light enters the world through the immaculate womb of Mary but it does not stay there. On the contrary, this light flows out into our obscure, sinful lives to illuminate them, so that we can become the light that shines in the world. For this reason, let us live this time of waiting not only to remember a historical event but to repeat this memory in our lives and in the service of others. To wait for the Lord who comes, is to hold vigil so He enters us and we live in imitation of Him. [Adapted source]

Prayer to Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

Lord, our God, we praise You for Your Son Jesus Christ, for He is Emmanuel, the Hope of all people. He is the Wisdom that teaches and guides us in Your ways. Grant your faithful, we pray, almighty God, the resolve to run forth to meet our Savior with righteous deeds at His coming, so that, gathered at His right hand, they may be worthy to possess the heavenly Kingdom. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son, who reigns with You, and in the unity of the Holy Spirit. Amen.