Is anyone ready for the return of Jesus?

READY FOR THE COMING OF JESUS

Lk. 21:25-28,34-36

Advent begins today.  It is time the Church gives to us to prepare for Christ this Christmas.  How eager are we for His coming?  Can you remember how eager we were for Christmas when we were young?  Can’t we try to capture that eagerness?  You only have to step outside your door and see how the world is preparing us for Christmas. They want to get rich by buying the products they have prepared. 

The Church presents us with a Gospel from Jesus telling us how we are to prepare.  There is the sobering call from Jesus:  “Be on guard,” “Stay awake,” and “Pray at all times.”  These are not mere suggestions; they are commands, given out of love, to prepare us for the most important moment of our lives - the moment we meet Christ face to face.

It’s easy to become spiritually complacent.  Life is busy, filled with responsibilities, distractions, and endless to-do lists.  These worldly cares, while often necessary, can easily consume our attention.  Without realizing it, we might find ourselves drifting from God, lulled into a false sense of security by the comforts or routines of life.  Jesus warns us not to be weighed down by “dissipation, drunkenness, and the cares of this life.”  While these can certainly refer to literal sins, they also symbolize anything that dulls our spiritual awareness or pulls us away from God.

So, let us ask ourselves: do habits, distractions, or attitudes in our lives lower our spiritual standards?  What is weighing us down, keeping us from being fully awake to God’s presence and purpose for us?

To “stay awake” means to live each day mindful of God’s presence and our eternal destiny.  But how do we do this?  We must have a regular prayer life.  Not just saying our morning and night prayers but a desire to have God constantly on our mind during the day.  Prayer is our lifeline to God.  Jesus says, “Pray at all times.”  This doesn’t mean constant words but a constant connection.  Take time each day for quiet prayer, where your heart and mind can rest in God’s presence.  Prayer strengthens us against temptation and keeps our hearts focused on Christ.

Next we must make a daily examination of conscience.  I wonder how many of us do this?  At the end of each day, reflect:  How did I live today?  Did my words and actions glorify God?  This daily practice helps us recognize areas where we need to grow and keeps our hearts ready for Christ.

Next every action of ours must be done with love.  If not, it is a waste of time.  Whether we are at work, at home, or serving others, let love guide our actions.  This simple focus transforms ordinary tasks into offerings pleasing to God.

Needless to say that attending Mass in Advent as often as we can and saying our daily Rosary is of paramount importance.  The Mass is the highest form of prayer, where we receive Christ Himself in the Eucharist.  Attending Mass regularly nourishes our souls. The Rosary, too, is a powerful way of staying close to Jesus and Mary, meditating on their lives and the love that they had.

Jesus speaks of the day we will stand before the Son of Man.  For some, this image may feel intimidated and fearful.  But Jesus does not want this.  Our confidence comes not from our own righteousness but from living in His grace.  He gives us everything we need - His strength, His forgiveness, His love - through prayer and the sacraments.

Advent is a season of preparation, a time to grow closer to Christ.  It reminds us that Jesus comes to us in two ways: at Christmas, as the Saviour born in Bethlehem, and at the end of time, as the King of Glory.  Will we be ready to greet Him with joy and confidence?

So this Advent means that we must make changes in our lives so that we can grow closer to God?  This may mean spending quality time with God in prayer, meeting Him at Mass and making sure we go to Confession in Advent.

When Christ comes, whether at Christmas or at the end of time, may He find us ready.  Ready not because we are perfect, but because we have lived with hearts open to Him, striving to love Him and others.  Then, we can stand confidently before the Son of Man, trusting in His mercy and rejoicing in His love.

Let us begin today.  Let us stay awake, praying at all times, and preparing our hearts for the coming of our Lord and Saviour.

MY WEBSITE IS AT: https://fatherfrancismaple.co.uk