First Sunday of Advent 2024

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 I have a confession to make—I am not a morning person. Waking up is a struggle. It takes me a while to get up, shake off the grogginess, and feel like myself. 

I recently read an article that offered tips on how to wake up feeling refreshed, and I realized I’m not alone in this battle. The advice was practical: avoid hitting snooze, get sunlight first thing, and eat a good breakfast.

But the article went beyond just the morning routine. It got me thinking about the larger metaphor: waking up isn’t just about getting out of bed—it’s about being ready for the day ahead, fully alert and engaged. 

That’s exactly what Jesus is calling us to do in today’s Gospel when He says, “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy.”

Advent, my friends, is the alarm clock of the Church year. It’s the time to wake up—not just physically, but spiritually.

In the article, one of the best pieces of advice was to use what they called the “RISEUP method.” RISEUP is an acronym that lays out a simple plan to wake up and start the day right. 

  • R - Refrain from hitting the snooze button, 

  • I - Increase activity in the first hour awake, 

  • S - Shower or wash face, 

  • E & U - Expose yourself to sunlight and listen to Upbeat music, and 

  • P - Phone a friend.

As I read through it, I realized it’s not just a tool for better mornings; it’s a roadmap for spiritual renewal. 

So let’s adapt it as a spiritual guide this Advent season—a kind of RISEUP for our hearts and souls:

  1. Refrain from hitting snooze.

    • In the morning, hitting snooze gives us a false sense of rest. Spiritually, procrastinating our relationship with God does the same. Don’t delay prayer, confession, or acts of charity. Advent is a time to act, not to put things off.

  2. Increase activity in your spiritual life.

    • Just as a brisk walk can energize your body, engaging in acts of faith can energize your soul. Consider attending daily Mass, spending more time in prayer, or volunteering to help someone in need.

  3. Shower your soul with grace.

    • Starting the day with a shower refreshes our bodies, but what refreshes our spirits? The sacraments. Make time for Reconciliation and the Eucharist during Advent to let God’s grace wash over you.

  4. Expose yourself to the light of Christ.

    • Just as sunlight helps reset your biological clock, the light of Christ helps reset your spiritual clock. Spend time in His presence—whether it’s in Adoration, reading Scripture, or quiet prayer.

  5. Use upbeat prayer.

    • Advent is a season of hope, and our prayers should reflect that. Include gratitude and joy in your prayer life. It reminds us of the light we’re waiting for in the darkness.

  6. Phone a friend—spiritually.

    • Just as checking in with a friend can brighten your day, reaching out spiritually can deepen your faith. Forgive someone, invite a friend to Mass, or share your hope with someone who needs encouragement.

Jesus warns us in today’s Gospel not to let our hearts become drowsy with overindulgence or the anxieties of life. Both can dull our spiritual senses. Advent is an opportunity to wake up—to be vigilant, focused, and ready for Christ’s coming.

So this season, let’s not hit the snooze button on our faith. Let’s rise and shine, using this time to prepare ourselves spiritually. When we embrace the light of Christ, we won’t just wake up refreshed—we’ll be ready to stand before Him, alert and full of hope.

Let’s make this Advent our wake-up call. Amen.
Location: Morrisonville, NY, USA

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