Vocation Meditation -
1st Sunday of Advent, 2009

Jesus spoke to his disciples:

"There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken."

"Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

"Be on your guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."

Advent Season opens the Liturgical Year with three main concepts.

There is the second coming of Christ. That is for sure. Jesus never revealed when it will be. What it will be is not ours to know. He used a descriptive language that spelled fear and anxiety to His hearers. History would move on with all its failures and triumphs. But, there is a Christian reading of history. It has a goal and at that goal, Jesus Christ will be Lord of all. This delivers hope. Hope drives all fear away. It empowers us all to stand up and be prepared because with Jesus Christ redemption is possible.

There is a need to be on the watch. As believers, we never think we are living in a settled situation. Christians live their lives in a permanent state of expectation. It is a constant advent of Christ's coming in our lives. We must not be weary of waiting. The Lord is coming and with an element of surprise. Our lives are already marked with the shadow of eternity, in the certainty that our actions will determine our fitness to appear in the loving presence of God. Seen in this light, the Christian experience of waiting for the Lord cannot but be a thrilling experience!

There is a need to pray at all times. Prayer sharpens our vision of eternity. God is in all and will be in all. Prayer sustains our hope. It shapes everyone to be fit to stand up prepared to meet the Son of God in His ultimate power and saving glory!

Vocation Challenge:
"He is coming!" Be alert, pray at all times."
Can Jesus find me ready and alert at all times for His coming?

Dear God,
Hope finds me ready to welcome Your presence in my life. Many times, this is dimmed by dissipation, worries and restless search for fading earthly joys and successes. Don't let me be caught unprepared. May my vocation be a constant thrilling experience of Your advent in my life. I want to stand ready, fit and full of hope. Amen.

For the full Gospel reading for this Sunday, visit the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops site.

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