Is 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7/Ps 80/1 Cor 1:3-9/Mk 13:33-37
We start a new liturgical year in the calendar of the Church. Every liturgical year starts with the season of Advent. Advent is a time of waiting and preparation for Christmas, the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is not yet the Christmas season, although everybody in the world, especially in the Philippines, starts to play Christmas carols. In fact, as early as September in the Philippines, Christmas carols are starting to be played by a lot of people. Sadly, many Catholics followed the times and forgot the true reason of the season of Advent.
Why does the Church give us the season of Advent? The Church gives us the season of Advent in order for us to learn the value of waiting. In this generation and age, we rush a lot. There are fast food restaurants, instant coffee, instant noodles, etc. We do not know how to wait anymore. We always rush. We have no time to wait. We want something done right away. We want everything to be instant. Everybody is impatient in this day and age.
Patience is a virtue. We must learn how to be patient. Patience is a gift from God. This is why our generation needs to be very patient. Patience teaches us that everything does not come instantly. We have to wait. Waiting is very important. Not everything comes instantly or very fast. Some things that will happen will need our patience. It is important to be patient. We need to be patient. Patience helps us learn how to wait.
Waiting is also a good time to prepare. While waiting, a very good thing to do is to prepare. For example, when a friend or loved one who you haven't met for a very long time. When you learn that he will visit your place, what would you do? Won't you prepare? You would prepare your place for him/her to stay, you would prepare yourself as well. You would clean the house, prepare some food for him/her after his/her journey, you would dress up well for his/her arrival, etc.
In this season of Advent, we are to prepare ourselves spiritually to celebrate Christmas - the Solemnity of the Lord's birth. How do we prepare ourselves spiritually in this season of Advent? By repenting our sins and turning back to God. Jesus is waiting for us to prepare a place for Him in our hearts. We have a place in His heart. Let us accept Jesus into our hearts, just as how He accepted us into His heart. As we wait for Jesus to be born in our hearts, let us prepare ourselves spiritually in order for Jesus to come and be born once again in our hearts, just as how He was born in a stable in Bethlehem the First Christmas.
