Where Have You Become Drowsy? Where Are You Walking in the Shadows?

This first week of Advent we hear a few clear commands: Awaken from sleep! Throw off the works of darkness! Walk in the light!

Two questions come to mind to reflect on this week:

1. Where have you become drowsy and sleepy in your life of faith? Is anything spiritually lagging? Where are you ‘just going through the motions’? Where do you need renewed energy, vitality, and awakening?
2. Where are you walking in the shadows? Are you avoiding repentance or change that would bring more light into your life? What shadows are you hiding in to avoid living more deeply and fruitfully?

Drowsiness may look like a gradually depleting prayer life, less fervor for faith, living a less active life of faith or service, or not going to mass or confession as frequently. Shadows may look like distractions such as gadgets and social media, an addiction, an unhealthy habit, avoiding a calling/prompt from God and real transformation, or a staying in a purposeless career that underutilizes our gifts and potential.

The message of Advent this week is to awaken from our slumber and come out of the shadows and into the light. Our job is to figure out what those lessons mean for our lives as we prepare for Christ’s coming on Christmas.