Watching this 1st Week of Advent

Ascension of Christ, Jouvenet, Jean-Baptist

Let’s be honest, we’re all really good at procrastinating. I do laundry later, I can wait to Christmas shop, I can put off cleaning the garage until, well… it’ll never happen. Whether or not I make my to-do list a to-done list, there will be consequences. Eventually I run out of clothes, Christmas comes and I must be prepared and I may someday need to find a tool in my garage. The Second Coming of Christ will occur – but will we be ready?

Watching for the coming of the Savior during Advent moves our focus from the Birth of the Christ-Child to the Second Coming of our Lord at the end of time. At the Ascension (Luke 24:50-53, and Acts 1:9-11), the Angel said to the Apostles, “This Jesus, Who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come, as you have seen Him going into heaven.” (Acts 1:9-11). We seldom ponder this mystery. Perhaps because we don’t want to think about or perhaps because it seems so distant in the future.

Already in the second week of Advent, I recommend that catechists review the Sacrament of Reconciliation and a thorough examination of conscience. As catechists, we should help children prepare to receive this sacrament (and if possible arrange for your class to do so). Many parishes have communal penance services, all have confession times. Before Christmas, make the effort to go to Confession during the penitential season. Every confession anticipates our final judgment.

Part of the Sacrament of Penance is sorrow for sin and the amendment to not sin again. As we watch for the coming of Christ, let us also watch for and avoid occasions of sin. Be diligent in rooting out vice. Use this penitential season to offer up our sacrifices, fast and do penance – to become a truly wonderful gift for our Lord when we meet Him face-to-face.

We do not know the day or the hour; and we need not be afraid – if we are ready! We can watch for the signs of the times – sometimes in the more normal ways… we see ourselves aging, or loved ones with life-threatening illness and diseases. We will all meet our Lord, some rather suddenly. Will we be ready when we have this encounter? It is the most important meeting we’ll ever have!

For examination of consciences for adults and children, please visit:

https://www.catholiceducationcenter.com/resources-1