First Sunday of Advent: “Keep Watch!”

by Fr. Larry Fraher  |  12/01/2023  |  Images of Faith

“It’s a busy time.” “I am worn out from all the running around.” “Sometimes it feels like one thing after another.” These are common phrases in the lexicon of most of us as we approach the Holiday Season each year. We have things to do, tasks to accomplish, and guests to entertain. On this First Sunday of Advent, however, we are invited to shift our focus. Christ reminds us, as we begin our journey to the manger, that we must keep watch.

In James Tissot’s painting, You Could Not Watch One Hour with Me (watercolor over graphite on woven paper, Brooklyn: The Brooklyn Museum, 1886-1894), Christ is depicted on the night of His betrayal. After praying deeply in the garden, He returns to where he left Peter, James and John; he finds them asleep after having asked them to stay awake as he prayed. Jesus appears worn and tired, leaning on the outcropping of rock that John (sitting) and Peter (lying down), have found shelter beneath. James, covered in the white cloak, rests across from Peter, while their swords go untouched, resting between them. In the background, Judas, carrying a lantern, leads a group of others bearing swords and torches as they come for Jesus.

While the image does not directly correspond by illustrating the text of today’s Gospel, the message is the same. We must watch with and for Christ. In this world, where it is so easy to become distracted by the day-to-day events and goings-on of life, Christ reminds of what matters most. Be ready; watch for Him!

There are many ways to sleep, some literal, others figurative. The literal is obvious. We can spend these days of preparation for Christmas, running from store to store, event to event, task to task, to the point where we wear ourselves thin and seek rest. In our busy-ness, we rejoice in a good night’s sleep, or a fine afternoon nap. We can also sleep figuratively. We go through the motions of faith, more concerned about the presents we must buy, the menus we must prepare, the decorations to put up, etc., to the point where we ignore our spiritual preparation for the celebration of Christ’s coming. We often journey through Advent as a sleepwalker through the darkened house, hoping to hasten the holiday’s arrival and put it away on December 26.

Today’s Gospel is the alarm clock of spiritual slumber! Christ, in the Gospel, and illustrated in Tissot’s painting, calls to us: “Keep watch! The hour of salvation is at hand!” As we enter this Advent Season, it is time to awaken, take up the watch, and prepare ourselves for His coming.