Be Vigilant: Daily Meditations for Advent

by Michael Dubruiel

  What about us? Are we stiff-necked when it comes to answering His call? How do we respond to the "pipes" that are played for us...do we dance? How do we respond to the singing of "dirges"...do we mourn?

  Or do we sit back in judgment?

  The Gospel is not something for us to watch and critique but rather it is a message that should engage us. "If today you hear his voice, harden not your heart."

  Saturday of the Second Week of Advent

  To this day at the Jewish seder a place is set and an empty seat is reserved for the coming of Elijah. There are a lot of interpretations as to what this "empty seat" means. Some argue that it really is left for the possibility of an uninvited guest or relative. But the sense of expectation remains.

  In our daily lives there is often the unannounced, the unplanned guest or event.

  Our Lord in today's Gospel tells his disciples that Elijah did indeed come again in the person of John the Baptist, but they did not welcome him--they put him to death. He also predicts that this is ultimately how he will be welcomed.

  As we prepare for the Lord's coming, not only at Christmas but daily, what kind of reception will we give Him? Will the holidays crowd out any mention of him--will we in a sense put him to death? And what about the unexpected visits today - how will we welcome them?

  The answer is up to us.

  Third Sunday of Advent

  "Don't worry, be happy"--was a popular song about 14 years ago. It really was a Christian message. In today's second reading St. Paul tells the Thessalonians "Be happy all the times...because this is what God expects you to do in Christ Jesus."

  A fond memory that I have of this time of the year when I was growing up in New Hampshire is that it seemed to be the time of the year that everyone was happy. It is harder to perceive if that still is the case, if people find this time of the year one of cheer and happiness, or just a lot of stress. Perhaps we have trod so far off the path of the true meaning of the season that we've been cut off of from the source of all happiness--Christ.

  I left part of Paul's passage out: his recipe for happiness--"pray constantly; and for all things give thanks to God." This is the secret to happiness, to ultimately see everything as some how tied into God's will.

  Try to do this for the next hour. Speak to God about all that troubles you, excites you, worries you. Give thanks for everything. If you are the recipient of slow service, a long line at the store--thank God! See what a difference it makes. "Don't worry, be happy."

  Monday of the Third Week of Advent

  In many ways Advent is a season of unanswered questions that we anticipate being answered someday. In today's Gospel reading Jesus is asked by what authority he acts. He asks his questioners a question in turn, one that they can't answer and in the end refuses to answer their question.

  It is reminiscent of the God questioning Job.

  We all have questions about why evil exist, why God doesn't intervene more and on and on the questions go. What do we do with the unanswered ones?

  Our Lord refused to answer those who questioned Him because they were trying to trap Him. Perhaps that is the intent of our questions too?

  Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent

  O Wisdom, O holy Word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care. Come and show your people the way to salvation.

  Today we have the tale of two sons. Both are commanded by the Father to go and work in the vineyard. The first says he won't, the other says he will. But guess what, the one who refuses relents and does what the Father asked him to do. Yet the one who originally said he would go, in fact doesn't. Jesus asks the chief priests and the elders of the people to tell him which of the two sons did the will of the Father...of course the answer is the one who vocally refused but relented and did it.

  Jesus uses the story to illustrate why harlots and tax collectors who repented at the preaching of John the Baptist are headed to the pearly gates, while the "religious" likely are headed in the other direction.

  I don't think it is a matter of us standing back and separating the repentant harlots and the irreligious religious but rather a good moment to hold up the mirror and ask ourselves if we are doing the will of the Father?

  When I tell my son (who is all of 20 months old) to do something, already he rattles off a resounding "no." I'm not even sure if he knows what "no" means but he hears it enough throughout the day as he opens drawers, climbs up bookcases, writes on walls to know that it must be our favorite word. I also think he likes it because it is easy to say. He struggles with "yes" so that if often sounds like "yesh."

  When it comes to God sadly most of us are still like a 20 month old. We see God as interfering with our play time. If only we could learn that what God wants for us is what is best for us. Perhaps the harlots, tax collectors know that from their straying better than the religious who only dally in sin.

  Whatever the case, ultimately we all must respond to God, our Father not with the "no" that can seem so fashionable at times but with the difficult-to-say "yes."

  Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent

  O sacred Lord of ancient Israel, who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush, who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain: come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free.

  "Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame,decided to divorce her quietly." I suspect that most people gloss right over this passage at the beginning of Matthew's Gospel and today's reading. We know that Joseph is not going to divorce Mary, in the same way that we know that Abraham ultimately isn't going to sacrifice Isaac--so we gloss over the fact that Joseph, a righteous man who is unwilling to expose Mary to the possibility of being executed for adultery (since that would be the only plausible explanation for her pregnancy) decides to divorce her.

  But of course none of that comes to pass because Joseph is a spiritual man who pays attention to his dreams. And this is another important fact in the Gospel story--Joseph's revelation comes to him in a dream--not a full fledged vision but a dream. A vision of an angel in a dream probably would be quickly dismissed by most of us.

  "Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.'"

  So we are told that even Joseph had this intention when he had rationally looked at all the evidence, now God enters the picture albeit in a dream and says, "Whoa Joseph! It is through the Holy Spirit."

  There are a lot of events in life that are confusing and troubling to good people. If we are truly open to God as St. Joseph was we might discern God's hand in many events that seem at first to speak of God's absence. As we await His coming let us open ourselves to the possibility that He might be in our midst, even at this moment.

  Thursday of the Third Week of Advent

  O Flower of Jesse's stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you. Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.

  Both of today's readings have the common theme of being annunciations of the birth of a child. In the first reading the birth of Samson is being announced. In the Gospel it is the birth of John the Baptist that Zechariah receives notice of while he is performing the priestly service in the Temple. Another common theme is that both potential parents are told that the child to be born to them is not to drink alcohol once they are born.

  For some reason it is what jumped out at me when I read both this morning. We know that when Jesus compared what people said about him and John that it was Jesus who was labeled the drunkard, so he obviously enjoyed a drink now and then. So why couldn't John or Samson drink? Why did God command this of them from their conception?

  There are those who think the p
rohibition reflects belief that grapes were the "forbidden fruit" that Adam and Eve had been forbidden to eat in the Garden of Eden. The prohibition enjoined on Samson and John from conception are then the same prohibition given by God to Adam and Eve. What is interesting about this is it kind of fits what the serpent says in reference to his take on God's prohibition to Eve when he says," you will become like gods" if you partake of this fruit--people who drink often start thinking highly of themselves.

  It is even more interesting when connected with the Eucharist and Jesus taking the fruit of the vine and saying "this is the blood of the new Covenant"...thereby taking what had been the source of rupture with God and turning it into a that which restores humanity to God. One also would be struck by Jesus calling himself the "vine" and his followers branches of the vine.

  So we have John in today's Gospel totally dedicated to God awaiting his coming. We also have a hint of what God will do when he comes to us.

  Friday of the Third Week of Advent

  O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel controlling at your will the gate of heaven: come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead your captive people into freedom.

  "How can this be...?" Mary asks the angel in today's Gospel. In her case it is the conception of a child that she wonders about, but in ours it is the merit of our salvation. "How can this be?" we wonder.

  In these last days of Advent it is good to reflect on the great gift that God offers us, the gift of Himself.

  It is also good to foster a sense of our unworthiness. I know that this is "out" and people like to think of themselves as deserving of more. But I think the more we marvel at the fact that we are totally undeserving it seems to me that the more God lavishes us with gifts. The person who thinks they deserve more rarely gets anything.

  On the other hand we can dwell too much on "how can this be?" and refuse to open ourselves up to God. Listen to the angel. It is all about God.

  Saturday of the Third Week of Advent

  O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

  "Blessed is she who believed that the message made her by the Lord would be fulfilled." Here is where most of us fall short. We really don't believe, silently we distrust. In our actions we loudly show our unbelief.

  Elizabeth praises Mary for her trust.

  What do you and I really trust in?

  Today ask the Blessed Virgin to give you a stronger faith, one that looks to God expectantly at every waking moment of your day and sleeps at night with the same assurance.

  Fourth Sunday of Advent

  O King of the Gentiles and their desired One, the Cornerstone that makes both one: Come, and deliver man, whom You formed out of the dust of the earth.

  The Lord is with you! Both Mary and King David hear this in the readings and Paul reminds us that it is God's presence that strengthens us to live out the Gospel. Being aware of God's presence in our midst is a central theme of Christmas. The shepherds will find Our Lord in the baby lying in the manger. The magi will search for him from afar and find Him after leaving the palace of Herod behind. Herod will hear of Him and seek to kill Him.

  What about us? Will we be aware of His presence in our midst or will we continue to live like He is yet to come?

  St. Ignatius urged his retreat ants to spend some time before every prayer period fostering a sense of God's presence--doing something that made the pray-er aware that God indeed is everywhere and is with you. In the East pray-ers will kneel and touch their forehead to the ground (incidentally, ,the children of Fatima were taught by an angel to pray in this manner). Whatever the way, it is important to know that we are praying to a reality that is present and not just to the wind.

  David is told by God through the prophet, "It was I who took you from the pasture and from the care of the flock to be commander of my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you went, and I have destroyed all your enemies before you". God was always there, indeed He was leading David as He does us.

  The message to Mary today, is a message to all of us: "The Lord is with you!"

  Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent

  O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver, desire of the nations, Savior of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God.

  Today we hear of the birth of John the Baptist which is welcomed with great joy. I once read in a commentary that if Elizabeth had borne a girl that the relations and neighbors would have mourned rather than rejoiced, such was the plight of women at the time. But nonetheless the joy is soon met with conflict when Elizabeth insists on naming the boy John. The relatives look to the mute Zechariah for confirmation, he motions for a writing tablet (symbolic for the "law"?) and writes"He is to be called John." We hear then that the people are astonished and that Zechariah's speech returns.

  The contrast between the births of John and Jesus are often said to symbolize the differences between the old covenant and the new. Zechariah could not believe that God would grace he and Elizabeth with a child at their old age. He was struck dumb by such a gift. Mary also was surprised at the miraculous birth announced to her by the angel, but she accepts it.

  Most of us are still a lot like Zechariah. We don't believe God could ever use us for anything good because we have a thousand reasons why we don't deserve for God to use us. We aren't holy enough. We sin too much. We don't pray enough. But grace is a free gift from God, we can do nothing to earn it.

  As we approach Christmas we should open our hearts to God and accept the gift of grace that he offer with humility. We are right to protest that we don't deserve it--we don't, but God wishes to give to us anyway.

  Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent

  "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited his people, he has come to their rescue..." the words of Zechariah in what Christians have come to call the Canticle of Zechariah. A prayer that is prayed every morning as part of the hours of the Church. It is fitting way to end Advent. In the one line we have the Christmas message--God Himself has come to us in order to rescue us.

  God will save us from our enemies. God will free us from fear.

  Perhaps on this day before Christmas we should contemplate who are enemies are, what it is we fear and allow the Christ child to come and rescue us from them. As the Christmas carol says well, "the hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight."

  Solemnity of Christmas

  A few nights ago we watched a show on one of the cable stations that advertised itself as a program that explored the origins of Christmas. The winter's solstice was mentioned. The origin of Rudolph as an advertising symbol for Montgomery Ward's was mentioned. The transformation of St. Nick to Santa Claus was mentioned. And oh yes, 45 minutes into the program some mention was made of Catholics and a few other main line Protestant churches having special services on Christmas Day to commemorate the birth of Christ. It was all very enlightening.

  Today's Gospel points to the origin of all creation--"In the beginning was the Word.." Before anything there was Christ. The Word is responsible for everything that exist. Nothing exist without His willing it.

  It is fitting that the season of Christmas is over for those who don't acknowledge Christ and that it is just beginning for those who do. Because when all the gifts that we exchange have rotted and even when this mortal flesh that we hold on to has wasted away in some far off grave--Christ will remain. Hopefully the Word will call us forth on that distant day because of what we celebrate on this day..."the Word became Flesh and pitched His tent in our midst."

  Merry Christmas!

  Octave of Christmas--Feast of St. Stephen

  The day after Christmas we celebrate the feast of the first Christian Martyr. The gospel for today places before us the message of the adult Jesus to his followers "Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governor
s and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved."

  If we think these are just nice words and we needn't worry we have St. Stephen placed before us. Stephen a deacon is stoned to death for being a follower of Christ. His death in many ways mirrors the death of Jesus, in his final words he hands over his spirit.

  The word martyr literally means witness. Jesus tells us that our persecution is an opportunity to witness. Stephen's witness is before a man Saul who will become the greatest Christian missionary to ever live--St. Paul. Our opportunities to witness happen daily with how we react to the every moment. Do we rely upon the Lord for what we will say?

  Octave of Christmas--Feast of St. John

  John left us his own words of what he witnessed to in his first letter:

  Beloved:

  What was from the beginning,

  what we have heard,

  what we have seen with our eyes,