The blessed time of Advent is upon us. This year more than ever my mind has been sifting through the gospels’ message of this idea of living awake.
This image caught my attention and really is summarizing Advent for me this year. When Jesus processes as King into Jerusalem in Matthew’s gospel, my bible says, “Jesus was in the center of the procession”. The chaos of the city was rightly ordered, as the people around him began shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”
Jesus as the center of it all.
Living awake.
I wonder what St. Paul would think of my follow of Jesus. He lived awakened to Jesus as the center of his life. Imagine him in prison, writing letters to encourage and teach friends he’d met along the way. His passion expressed in mere words on a page…but somehow through God’s mysterious Spirit, they come alive within us still today. Paul poured out his life to let everyone know who Jesus is. Imagine the magnitude of the message he knew he had to share. A message Paul was commissioned by Jesus to proclaim to anyone and everyone. Paul did not know what would become of his life or his letters, but he did what was asked of him by God.
I wonder what St. Paul would want me to know, in his honest, bold, big brotherly way as I prepare my family for the celebration of Christ’s coming to the earth. What would he think of my follow of Jesus in this year 2022? I wish I knew, because I think his strength, love, and confidence would be so encouraging.
Lord Jesus, I want to live awake – show me the way. I want to see the world how you see it, and love the way you love – teach me. I want to live like St. Paul, in confidence of God’s love and power – reveal this to me and help me believe. May I be a bold mouthpiece for the Lord. May I keep you, Jesus, always as the center of my life. Amen.
My Heart, My Home 