Advent... a time of preparation...

     Yesterday was the first Sunday of Advent, marking the first day of the new liturgical year. Our pastor spoke about the messages of the end of one Church year and the beginning of another. He said that during the previous day's Mass... the very last words of the year... the closing message in the Gospel reading was... "Be vigilant at all times."
     He went on to say that the message for the first day of the new Church year, this Sunday, was the same, "Stay awake. Be prepared."
     We may get swept along in the anxieties and trials of our days. But we must never become so preoccupied as to forget about the Lord.
     Jesus is very clear. We are to stay alert. Be vigilant. Be ready. And stay close to the Lord.
     I leaned over and whispered to my son, Matthew, and reminded him of what we had talked about in the car on the way to church. The Gospel mentioned that in the days before Noah and the flood, the people went about their business, eating and drinking, unaware of what was about to hit them.
     I had reminded the kids that in the storms of our lives, we should already be on God's ark. We should live close to God, always under his protection. And we will be safe from any storm. And we will be prepared for whatever comes.
     How appropriate that we begin Advent with a message of preparedness and readiness.
     Stay awake. Be vigilant at all times. And prepare our hearts for the coming of the Lord.