First Week of Advent: Be Watchful & Alert

By: Pope Francis

Dear Brothers and Sisters! We begin today the journey of Advent, which will culminate in Christmas. Advent is the time we are given to welcome the Lord who comes to encounter us; and to verify our longing for God, to look forward and prepare ourselves for Christ’s return. He will return to us in the celebration of Christmas, when we will remember his historic coming in the humility of the human condition; but he enters our heart each time we are willing to receive him. And he will come at the end of time to judge the living and the dead. Therefore, we must be vigilant always and await the Lord with the hope of encountering him. Today’s liturgy introduces us to this evocative theme of vigilance and waiting.

In the Gospel of Mark (13:33-37), Jesus exhorts us to take heed and watch, so that we will be ready to welcome him at the moment of his return. He says: “Watch, therefore; you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning. May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping.”

The person who takes heed is the one who, amid the worldly noise, does not let himself [or herself] be overwhelmed by distraction or superficiality, but lives in a full and conscious way with concern first and foremost for others. In this way, we become aware of the tears and needs of our neighbors; and we can understand their human and spiritual strengths and qualities. The [alert or] heedful person then also turns toward the world, seeking to counter its cruelty and indifference, but also taking delight in its beautiful treasures which also exist and must be protected. It is a matter of having an understanding gaze so that we can recognize both the misery and poverty of people in our society; and also appreciate the hidden richness in little everyday things precisely where the Lord has placed us.

The watchful person is the one who accepts the invitation to keep watch; that is, not to let himself [or herself] be overpowered by the listlessness of discouragement, disappointment, or lack of hope. At the same time, this person protects himself [or herself] from the allure of the many vanities in the world for which, all too often, time and familial and personal peace are sacrificed. It is the painful experience of the people of Israel, recounted by the Prophet Isaiah: God seemed to let his people stray from his ways (Isaiah 63:17), but this was the result of the unfaithfulness of the people themselves (Isaiah 64:4b). All too often, we find ourselves in the situation of unfaithfulness to the Lord’s call. He shows us the right path, the way of faith, and the way of love; but we seek our happiness elsewhere.

Being attentive and watchful are required so that we do not stray from the Lord’s ways, lost in our sins, and in our infidelity. Being alert and watchful are the conditions that allow God to permeate our existence; and to restore meaning and value to our lives with his presence, which is full of goodness and tenderness. May Mary, Most Holy, role model for awaiting God and icon of watchfulness, lead us to her son, Jesus, and rekindle our love for him. I wish everyone a Happy Sunday and a good Advent journey! Please pray for me!