Stay Awake!

Advent 2011: Stay Awake

It's not that we're asleep, in fact our society doesn't get enough sleep, it's that we don't pay enough attention to the details. We allow the summary to speak the "whole truth" without regard to the reality that years of research and education (or the lack thereof) might have a bearing on the accuracy and the authenticity of that Truth.  There is so much packed into our days, do we even recognize that within those days lies a valuable challenge or an answer or two?  


Mark's Gospel warns us to stay awake "for we know not the day, nor the hour".  The popular notion is that this is a warning about the coming of the end time, or even death, when in actuality it refers to the coming of Christ and His Kingdom.  I believe that it's easy to treat this as if it's all about heaven, or some afterlife moment... It's so far away that it doesn't really need our attention today.  After all, we're gonna be here another 100 years, right?  Mark's Gospel has a more urgent nature about it than to think that we're being prepared just for heaven... If it were Mark typing this blog, he would bold it and underline it: "Stay Awake"!  


YOU are being called to be ready TODAY, and right this instant to encounter the real Christ that is among us proclaiming that the "Reign of God is at hand"!  Advent IS a time of preparation for the coming of Christ, but let's be real... Christ has been born in Bethlehem, and He is waiting to be BORN AGAIN in your heart and in the way you live your life. So stay AWAKE and be ready!

50 Ways to Get Through Easter... Awaken!

Peter said, “I have neither silver nor gold, but what I do have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, rise and walk.” Then Peter took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles grew strong. He leaped up, stood, and walked around, and went into the temple with them, walking and jumping and praising God. (Read Acts 3: 1-10)

Today’s word: Awaken!

I love the image of the Apostle Peter here, with nothing to give except his faith. And in giving that faith, he frees a person from his limitations! While many prefer to concentrate on Peter’s first miracle, I would simply like to emphasize just how crucial it is that we share our faith with everyone we meet. Whether it is with a stranger, or a family member; sharing the freedom that comes with “Easter”, and its message of hope and life ever-lasting will most certainly free others! If you are able to heal someone, simply by showing them your faith, why not try? If you are measuring yourself based upon how many folks in wheelchairs get up and walk, your focusing on the wrong goal. Freedom begin from within the heart, and healing begins with the sharing of YOUR heart. Whether they get up and walk, or they smile at your kind gesture... You will AWAKEN the faith of others; and that is definitely part of our “job description” as disciples!