11/30/2020
First Sunday of Advent: Be Watchful!
Mark 13: 33-37
Happy first Sunday of Advent to you all! As we begin this 2020 season of Advent, we are reminded that our lives here on earth are a journey of growth for each of us.
Be alert! You do not know when the time will come.
We are born into this life on earth as a work in progress. God gives us the gifts of the Holy Spirit to enable us to become all that he intends for us to be. But he alone can not do the work within us. We must do our part to tap into these gifts and continue to strive to be the person God intends us to be. As with any relationship or personal growth it requires work on our part and a commitment. If we are to have a relationship with Christ we must put the time and effort into the relationship. He is there always waiting and longing for us to be close to him. This Advent you an opportunity to strengthen and renew your relationship with him.
Mark's gospel reading reminds us how this Advent season is a great time to work on being your best self for God and to grow in your relationship with Jesus so he will not find you sleeping.
Here are some ways you can use this Advent to grow your relationship with Jesus:
Take time each day to read the bible. Reflecting on how God is trying to speak with you. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you to discern what the reading is telling you.
At the end of each day reflect on your actions and inactions of the day. What did you do that pleased our Lord? What did you refuse to do? In what ways did you sin? Our sins are not only the the actions we take, the thoughts we have or the words we use. Our sins can also be sins of inaction or not speaking up. Ask forgiveness each night by reflecting on your sins and saying an Act of Contrition. If you do not normally pray with your spouse or partner this can be a starting point for you both. A simple act of contrition said together each evening can open your relationship up to praying together.
If you have children encourage them to reflect on their day and ask forgiveness for any sins they have committed. Say an Act of Contrition with them each night.
Start each morning by asking the Lord, "Lord how can I best serve you today?" or "Holy Spirit please be with me and guide me to be the best I can today." Listen for how he is speaking to you each day.
Create an Advent journal this year. Create some spiritual goals for yourself that you would like to accomplish by Christmas. Each day record your thoughts and reflections. Do not judge yourself or beat yourself up if you do not consistently follow this or do not see big progress. Find joy in the little achievements. Each moment you take to spend with our Lord and each little thing you do pleases our Lord. Learn to be gentle with yourself just as Our Father is gentle with us. On Christmas Eve review your journal and your growth over the next few weeks. Give thanks to the Lord for all the little and big achievements you have made and thank him for the birth of our savior.
As Mark reminds us in his reading, we are to continue to grow and be ready for we do not know when our Lord will come again and I pray he doesn't find you sleeping. May God be with you this Advent season and help you to grow in your relationship with him.
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Simple Act of Contrition:
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you, and I detest all my sins,
because of your just punishments, but most of all because they offend you,
My God, who are all good and deserving of all my love.
I firmly resolve with the help of you grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen.
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Mark 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!"
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