Last week, as we concluded the liturgical year, we were warned in Mark’s Gospel. This week, as we begin the new liturgical year, we are warned again with the Gospel of Luke.

Yes, most of the gospel readings for this liturgical year will be from Luke. Most of you know that he is the author of two books in the Bible, the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. Luke is said to have been a physician, a historian, and a lawyer who wrote to the Gentiles. His gospel is sometimes referred to as the Gospel of Women and the Gospel of the Poor, as he was concerned with those who lived on the fringes of society, the sick, and the outcast.

Luke’s warning in today’s reading could be called practicing some preventive medicine, as he does not want us to be caught off-guard.

However, I am afraid many of us will drive right through Luke’s warning, running the yellow light or not stopping at the red light. The second paragraph reads, “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.”

The word “trap” should catch our attention. I wonder how many of us have been caught in a speed trap and ticketed for going too fast. This reminds me of the story of the police who pulled over a driver for speeding. His wife was in the passenger seat.

 

Luke warns us about the drunkenness and anxieties of daily life and suggests that we be vigilant in prayer so we will be ready for our last judgment.

Spiritually, we are presently in what can be called “between times.” The past was the first historical coming of Christ, who silently came into the world, born to poor parents in an obscure village. The future is the second coming of Christ, which will be anything but silent!

There is an ancient story that depicts a man entering the gates of heaven. Once inside, he discovers nothing but a place to sit facing a huge blank wall. He asks his escort, St. Peter, for an explanation. Peter replies, “You have only entered the waiting room of paradise. Heaven is on the other side of the wall. There is an opening in the wall, but the opening only happens once a year. It could be opened at any time, possibly within the hour, possibly in four weeks … no one knows. Keep vigil and watch. If you miss it, your waiting will continue.”

There are two striking similarities between this man’s situation and our own. Like the man who has already passed the gates of heaven, we, too, are already saved by the historical life of Christ’s redemption. We have to wait for the second opening when Christ will come again.

Advent takes place during the shortest days and the longest nights of the year. The natural world is pausing and inviting us to do the same. Finding time to be quiet and reflective might seem like a luxury.

Black Friday, Cyber Monday and other shopping events might be more familiar indications of the coming of Christmas than Advent. Our short Advent season can easily be overshadowed by the frenzy of shopping, decorating, and partying.

This Advent is a good opportunity to remember the importance of mercy. To be merciful rather than indifferent, to be merciful in our own lives and bring mercy to others. At the same time, we do not ignore justice in our society as God’s justice is mercy.

Let’s focus on the corporal works of mercy: to feed the hungry, to give drink to the thirsty, to clothe the naked, to welcome strangers, to heal the sick, to visit the imprisoned, and to bury the dead.

Concurrently, let’s incorporate the spiritual works of mercy: to counsel the doubtful, to instruct the ignorant, to admonish sinners, to comfort the afflicted, to forgive offenses, to bear patiently with those who do us ill, and to pray for the living and the dead.

This Advent, let’s remember that mercy is the essence of the gospel and the key to Christian life.