Be Vigilant At All Times
Br. Anthony Michael, O.P., reflects on the Gospel for the First Sunday of Advent (Lk 21:25-28, 34-36) in our weekly video series.
During the season of Advent, the readings speak about vigilance and watchfulness more than at any other time of the year. Our Lord says in today’s Gospel, “Be vigilant at all times” (Lk 21:34). But what is vigilance? One image of vigilance that comes to mind is a guard keeping watch over the city. He stands on the city wall and looks out during the night for any possible dangers.
How does this image compare to Christian vigilance? We too are called to watch like the guard. It is something that is active rather than passive. We are not waiting around for something to happen, to startle us from our slumber. Rather, we are actively searching for signs of danger. You can imagine the guard making perimeter checks, looking out at the landscape for irregularities. He does not stand still in one spot preventing himself from looking around.
We are called to this same active vigilance; however, our object is slightly different. The guard looks out at something external, but we are called to watch ourselves. In verse 34, Jesus says, “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” (Lk 21:34). In Latin, this phrase is “Attendite autem vobis.” We are exhorted to pay attention to ourselves, to watch for signs of spiritual drowsiness and moral carelessness. This would be a great phrase to memorize and guide us this Advent season: “Attendite autem vobis.”
The point of all of this is not to collapse in on ourselves. It is not something that is supposed to make us more selfish and more vain. On the contrary, it is supposed to prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ. By watching our own hearts, we will not be caught off guard when Christ comes.
What does this watching concretely look like? Prayer. Christian vigilance is Christian prayer. Jesus says, “Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man" (Lk 21:36). Prayer is our way to strengthen ourselves in preparation to meet Christ. This Advent, let us listen to the words of Christ to pay attention to ourselves by committing ourselves to prayer: “Attendite autem vobis.”
