First Sunday of Advent
Mt 24:37-44
November 27, 2022

Appreciating how essential a “good night’s sleep” is to overall health and well being, more experts are making recommendations on how to defeat insomnia. I for one, read every article and listen to every interview I come across, in hopes that I will stop tossing and turning most of the night. There are a few tips that each sleep guru seems to have in common:

1. It is important to maintain a regular “sleep schedule” as much as possible.

2. It is important to avoid those things that interfere with sleep, such as late-night heavy meals, caffeinated and alcoholic beverages and the so called “blue light” coming from electronic devices.

3. It is important that the bedroom should be dark and the mind as free from worries and concerns as possible. (Easier said than done…right?)

This is all pretty much common sense. And, if a few changes can improve overall health and well being…well why not put them into practice? It occurs to me that these common sense recommendations might also be the key to improving our spiritual health and over all sense of well being.

Consider how the Scripture passages proclaimed during Advent, are in large part, a “call to action.” Throughout the brief season we hear things like: STAY AWAKE! PREPARE! BE VIGILANT! MAKE CHANGES! ACT!

This all takes energy and energy requires good rest. You need good sleep in order to tackle big projects. What can be a bigger project than salvation?

SO….

1. It is important to maintain a “regular schedule” by being aware of, and fully engaged in, the entire Liturgical Year. The U.S. Catholic Bishops point out that:

Christmas Time and Easter Time (following their respective preparatory Seasons of Advent and Lent) highlight the central mysteries of the Paschal Mystery, namely, the incarnation, death on the cross, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, and the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

Ordinary Time, takes us through the life of Christ. This is the time of conversion. This is living the life of Christ. Ordinary Time is a time for growth and maturation.

The whole of the Liturgical year is scheduled in a way that encourages us to grow closer to the Sacred Mysteries. When we stick to the schedule the Church has arranged for us, and faithfully observe each of the Seasons, we are spiritually refreshed. Being faithful to the liturgical schedule energizes us enabling us to do the work…of growing and maturing in Christ.

2. It is important to avoid those things those people, places and things that disrupt the Peace of Christ which is a rich source of spiritual energy.

Although a Season of preparation, unlike Lent, Advent is not penitential. It is a time of joyful expectation. First, of course, for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. But in addition…during this brief time, we remember The Lord’s promise that He will return. This is a season when we anticipate and prepare for that great day. To properly prepare, we need to push back, as best as possible, against those things that distract us and sap our spiritual energy. After all, we want to be well rested and look our very best when we go out to meet Christ…and that takes preparation.

3.It is important that we retire for a time each day with our mind as free from worries and concerns as possible.

Meditation and prayer create the environment that is conducive to a peaceful mind and spirit. Jesus, repeatedly went off alone, by Himself, to pray…especially in the most troubled of times. On His return, He was able to continue to “do the work.” As we begin this New Year, it would be advisable to follow His example.

It really is a matter of common sense.

Advent should be regarded as much more than a brief, preparatory Season that introduces Christmas. It is also an attitude. Advent is a way of being in the state of constant readiness for the return of Christ in Glory. And this requires action…work…and focus. That all takes spiritual energy. And common sense tells us how to acquire that energy…so why not put it into practice!