Watchful as a deer

By MARY GAGNON- | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

(Editor's note: Our Lady of the Snow parish in Grafton/Berlin invited parishioners to write Advent reflections for the church bulletin. This was the first one submitted.)

I was surprised when I read the Gospel for the first Sunday in Advent. I was not expecting Mark's urgent message: "Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come" (Mk 13:33).

I was anticipating the joyous waiting for the birth of a child, not the ominous watching for the end of time. We live in an era that is somewhere between the first and second coming of Christ.

My reflection focuses on this in-between time: If I am not alert to Jesus' daily presence, I might miss Him when He comes today.

Last week, as I was jogging through Grafton State Park, I was startled when I came upon two deer watching me from the side of the road. Their stillness and silence was surreal as they focused their attention on me, a stranger in the woods.

Looking back now, I see the lesson this chance encounter had to offer: This is how I must watch for Jesus as He is present in my world today.

First, for a few moments throughout the day, I must stop my busyness. As much as I can, I must try not to "multi-task."

Then, I must remember to be silent and keep my useless chatter and mindless thoughts to a minimum.

Finally, I must focus more on others and less on myself.

When I do these things, I might find Jesus in unexpected people, places and events: in the kindness of a stranger, nature or a crowded mall or in those who are different from me.

During this Advent season, put up written notes or reminders to be watchful and alert for the coming of Jesus, because we do not know the time or place when He will come to us. You might be surprised.[[In-content Ad]]