By Becky Horst, associate registrar and convocation coordinator

Scripture: Matthew 24:36-44 (NRSV)

DEVOTIONAL:
Each Christmas season, the mystery and miracle of Incarnation sends a wave of awe over me. Our God is a God who comes to us. The Creator of the Universe stirs and moves among us creatures here on planet Earth. Jesus of Nazareth came and lived among us more than 2,000 years ago. No one knows when he will come again. But we do know that the Holy Spirit stirs and moves among us today. Advent reminds us that God continues to come.

Today’s Scripture passage calls us to be watchful. Stay alert because at any time, when we least expect it, Jesus might appear. The operative emotion here is not fear, but anticipation. Who might be the face of Jesus today? Where might the Holy Spirit intervene and turn a hopelessly dark situation toward the light?

Paradoxically, we are most alert to God’s presence if we regularly take time to step back and reflect. Reflection sharpens our self-awareness and helps us become more attentive. One helpful tool for reflective prayer is the Daily Examen developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola. The Examen is usually done at bedtime. Here is a simplified version to try during this Advent season:

1. Become aware of God’s presence.
2. Review the day with gratitude.
3. Pay attention to your emotions.
4. Choose one feature of the day and pray about it.
5. Look toward tomorrow.

During this Advent season, adopt a rhythm of watchfulness and prayer, attention and reflection. Come, Lord Jesus, come.

Scripture: Matthew 24:36-44 (NRSV)

“But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. ³⁷For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. ³⁸For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, ³⁹and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. ⁴⁰Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. ⁴¹Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. ⁴²Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. ⁴³But 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. ⁴⁴Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.