‘In those moments when life and the world are in the most turmoil, that is when we must keep watch for God’s surprising presence. That moment of hopelessness or need or fear is the moment when holy grace and justice makes themselves known (Claire Brown).’
Reading: ‘Keep watch, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore, you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour (Matthew 24:42-44).’
Did you catch what Jesus was saying about the thief? The one who comes at night, in the dark?
Advent waiting always begins at night, in the dark, yearning for the sun to rise. Advent waiting begins by confronting the darkness in our existence, yearning for the Light of the World to become more of a reality, shining brighter and brighter in our lives, in our communities, and around our wreaths.
Jesus is reminding us to keep watch, to not miss what’s coming.
Jesus is reminding us to keep watch, to not miss what’s happening.
Jesus is reminding us to wait.
Jesus is saying, ‘Something beautiful is beginning. And its future is better than you can imagine! You just don’t fully see it yet.’
Such is the season of Advent – a sacred space within our liturgical calendar where waiting and action balance on a scale, a season where we practice keeping watch.
Keeping watch for the Christ child born in Bethlehem.
Keeping watch for the Christ to bring the fullness of his shalom, his restoration of all things, to all things.
Keeping watch for the ways in which the Christ moves in the waiting.
Perhaps this year, as many are experiencing a unique Advent season like none they’ve ever known, we can commit to being still, and keeping watch for Christ.
Perhaps this year, as many are feeling loss at all levels, as we wait for both Christmas morning and the end of a pandemic, we can take advantage of this season to journey into the dark spaces and the uncertainties of our world.
And perhaps, as we wait, we can keep watch over one another and keep watch for the Imago Dei in all.
Practice: Try and carve out a few minutes at the end of each day, and simply observe the hours you spent. Where did you find yourself noticing the Spirit at work throughout the day? Where did you find yourself not noticing the Spirit at work throughout the day? In your life? In the lives of your loved ones? In your community? Where did you notice darkness or uncertainty? Just sit with those moments. Bring them before God. And ask him for whatever you need to face the day ahead, with more hope, and less fear.
(painting by Beth Sulleza)
Visio Divina: Take a few minutes and look at this painting. What catches your eye? What feelings and emotions are evoked in this piece of art? Invite the Spirit to lead your heart in a prayerful response in regard to what you you’ve read and what you are seeing.
Jesus of the vigil, you told us to keep watch, to stay alert for what is coming. Bless us with the strength to watch, to wait, and to work this Advent season, so that your Kingdom which is here and is still to come may be realized in its fullness. Because if we do not keep watch, we may miss it. Amen.