The First Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of a new liturgical year and calls us to watchfulness and hope. In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus reminds his disciples to “stay awake,” for they do not know the day or the hour when the Son of Man will come. Just as in the days of Noah, when people went about their daily lives unaware of what was to come, so too must we guard against complacency and spiritual sleep. Advent invites us to live in readiness — not in fear, but in faith-filled anticipation of God’s coming among us.
The message of Jesus is not about predicting the future but about being alert to the presence of God in the present moment. The Gospel reminds us that the “window of opportunity for God’s saving presence is the now of each person’s life.” God comes to us continually — in the ordinary events, relationships, and decisions of each day. Our task is to recognise these moments as sacred, as occasions where Christ meets us and invites us deeper into his Kingdom.
As other Christs, Christians are privileged to have a responsibility for the continuing growth of the Kingdom. They are responsible to watch out for opportunities to further the interests of the Lord in the events of their own lives and circumstances. This could be seen as going up to the Temple of the Lord, the place of God’s mysterious presence. Every act of kindness, forgiveness, or courage becomes a step toward that Temple, a way of preparing a place for God to dwell more fully in our world.
During this season of Advent, we are called to open our eyes and hearts to God’s nearness. The Gospel challenges us not to drift through life distracted or indifferent, but to be awake and ready — seeing Christ in every moment and responding with faith. In this way, we become co-workers in God’s saving plan, transforming the “now” into a meeting place between heaven and earth.
Fr Stephen Berecz
