Advent, Week 1 - Sunday

Prologue 

It has been 6 months since my last entry. I intended to take 2-3 months off before getting back into a regular spiritual reflection practice. I let acedia get in the away. Since we are now in the period of "mini-Lent" we call Advent, it is time to saddle up and ride again. My intent will be post twice a week. Once on Sunday and then again on Wednesday for my Perkins 4th day brothers. Gitti-up. 

Gospel
MK 13:33-37

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Be watchful! Be alert!
You do not know when the time will come.
It is like a man traveling abroad.
He leaves home and places his servants in charge,
each with his own work,
and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch.
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.
What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’”

Reflection:

Bishop Barron poses this question: 

In what ways are you "sleeping" and not being "watchful" for the end, either your won death or the Second Coming? 

There are few among us who are not both "sleeping" and "watchful." We have been faithful to the Mass until the pandemic flipped our lives upside down and for the first time in who knows how long we were given exemption from the requirement to attend Mass on Sundays. Who knew on Easter Sunday infection rates and deaths would still be be rising as we enter into Advent? Who knew that our 4th day and other prayer groups would be forced from gatherings around the table to gathering in front of screen? I have to confess that not only did my practice of weekly mass fall by the wayside, but I fell out of the habit of the Liturgy of the Hours and Lection Divina. It seems that many of my years long devotional practices went out the window because of the changes caused by working from home and the move.

I was clearly more in the sleep state than I was wakeful. In recent weeks, however, I have begun to climb back up the ladder. I tune into virtual mass more often and pay close attention to the liturgies. I adopt the postures of the mass and recite the prayers and responses. The eucharist is missing but a sense of communion has returned. I am praying the hours again and walking daily with my senses invested in creation with thanksgiving and gratitude. I am waking up again. the world is different. I am different. Our liturgy is different. God is the same.

In pinch myself and whisper "Watch!"