Reading I: Isaiah 2:1-5
Reading II: Romans 13:11-14
GOSPEL: Matthew 24:37-44
Jesus, Can’t I Sleep?
In the Gospel for this Sunday, Jesus gives us this command, “Stay awake!” I find this to be a concern, because I enjoy sleeping. For me a good night’s sleep is one of life’s great pleasures and it isn’t sinful or harmful to others. I can attest to the fact that this is true for many people, especially teenagers! So what is Jesus telling us with this command?
Alert to His Presence
Jesus was speaking metaphorically, not literally. He is saying, “Don’t expect that my future comings in your life will be marked by some special alarm. You need to be alert and look for the signs that I’m here.” The danger is that the demands and worries of everyday life can keep us from experiencing his presence. We get too tired trying to negotiate life on our own power to stay awake and notice Jesus is here.
It is no accident that as we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ historical coming as an infant that the Church chooses readings that talk about his future coming. This is to remind us that Jesus didn’t come just once 2000 years ago. Nor will he only come once more at some final event in history. Jesus comes to us again, and again, and again. But will we be alert to his presence?
Where’s Jesus?
You probably noticed that I keep referring to Jesus’ “future comings.” Even though the Gospel is talking about the “Parousia” or the final coming of Jesus, in another sense it is talking about any time Jesus makes himself present in our life. By using examples of everyday life – eating, drinking, working in the fields and in the home – the Gospel is saying that Jesus’ future comings will be in the relationships and events of everyday life.
So how do we see where Jesus has come to us? The other readings for this Sunday give us clues.
The reading from Isaiah talks about a time when people are turning swords into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks. Jesus is present whenever people choose peace over violence and forgiveness over revenge. The reading from Romans tells us that Jesus is also present whenever we reject drunkenness, promiscuity, rivalry, and jealousy.
We can only triumph over sinful behaviors when we put our faith in Christ and not in our own power. And only then can we truly “stay awake” in the way that Jesus meant it.
Life Application:
As an Advent practice, take ten minutes at the end of the day to think or write on this one, simple question: “Where did I meet Jesus during my day?” Then go to sleep!
Check out the REAL Word Podcast for the 1st Sunday of Advent (Cycle A):
Original article by Brian Singer-Towns, 2004-2022.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.