We are in the middle of Advent. Just starting the 2nd week of Advent we still have more ahead of us than behind us. We know this feeling. Of waiting. Of forcing ourselves to concentrate on what we need to be doing.
Years ago as a project manager I remember being in the middle of a project building corporate systems and the middle part of the project plan was where it seemed to me was the toughest. Looking forward to the completion, the culmination of all our work and time, but still realizing there is more to do than done, and it will get busier and harder as the pieces and teammates will need to be carefully managed and cajoled and kept on path.
Advent can be like that.
But it’s like two projects now for we are always as St Paul says praying for endurance to continue to grow our faith and relationship with God, keep our eye on His will and adhere to his Word. But we are also preparing for Christmas even as our work will need tending to, even as we continue to be patient and faithful. We will plan for gifts, visits to others, travel and where to spend the celebration. We need to decide whose house will host the day, the grand parents or the parents. And the house will need to be prepared. Oh boy!
Our house is undergoing a transformation with Helen as the project manager and it is already unidentifiable as the place we live.
It only resembles my house on the outside. The inside is a Christmas Wonderland.
So much going on during Advent. It’s hard to remember we still have to work and continue our growth as Christian’s waiting for Jesus to return.
So maybe today is a good time to be still for a moment and ask how are we doing?
Find time to just sit and relax, no readings, no tv, no phone. Just sit, maybe outside where nature can fill our eyes and ears.
But ask, are we on our plan?
The plan to be ready when Jesus comes again into the world. You have a plan, don’t you? We should have a goal for all parts of our life if we want to see progress. Right? We know to do that at work. How about in what really matters?
A goal for where we want to be as a disciple in 6 months? Maybe this time next year. Without a plan of how much to grow and reach our spiritual goals we will meander through life and through our relationship with God. Which usually means slow progress.
This advent have we started enriching our faith life? Has our actions and lifestyle mirrored the teaching of Christ?
What have we done this week, so our God is first in our life. Have we been to Adoration? What a perfect time in the season to check in with Jesus.
And are we saying a rosary everyday? If you have not added the rosary, do so now, without delay. The rosary is our time to see the life of Christ through the eyes of his mother. It’s a big deal and she will bring you closer to Jesus than ever. He gave her to us as a mother to help us be closer to her son.
All of us should be marking our calendars for a penance service soon too. So we will be ready for Christmas Day. Wwe should be going to confession often, because we are wanting to be closer to God and reconciliation is a way to ensure that happens.
So much to do, so much to consider. Let’s make sure we can take a moment to just be with Jesus Christ and ask how we are going to grow closer to him this season and all through our life. Be purposeful in your prayer life and actively manage your relationship with God. We are all called to be saints. Called to be holy and close to Jesus Christ in all things. Advent is a time to reflect, pray more and ask, what else can I do to be more holy?
Deacon Tony Pynes 
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