There are many ways that people in specific jobs prepare themselves to perform their duties in stressful situations. One effective method is through simulation, which allows them to make mistakes and learn from them without putting anyone in danger. For example, pilots use flight simulators to learn how to respond in emergencies. Hospitals simulate disasters to assess how doctors, nurses, and equipment will handle an overload of victims. Schools conduct fire drills and other disaster simulations to determine the...
There are many ways that people in specific jobs prepare themselves to perform their duties in stressful situations. One effective method is through simulation, which allows them to make mistakes and learn from them without putting anyone in danger. For example, pilots use flight simulators to learn how to respond in emergencies. Hospitals simulate disasters to assess how doctors, nurses, and equipment will handle an overload of victims. Schools conduct fire drills and other disaster simulations to determine the fastest and safest ways to evacuate hundreds or even thousands of students. The military also simulates war scenarios to ensure it is prepared in the event of a real attack.
With this context in mind, the Church invites us to view the season of Advent, which begins today, as a time of simulation. It encourages us to simulate the coming of Jesus into the world—not only his arrival on that first Christmas but also his Second Coming at the end of time. The Church particularly emphasizes this Second Coming on the first Sunday of Advent.
First, the Church reminds us that the Second Coming may be closer than we think. St. Paul states in our second reading, "The night is advanced, the day is at hand."
Second, the Church tells us that the Second Coming of Christ will catch us by surprise. St. Matthew writes, "As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. In those days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, right up to the day that Noah entered the ark. They did not know. Therefore, you must also be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come."
Someone once said that the most dangerous day of our lives is when we learn the word "tomorrow." On that day, we start putting things off, procrastinating, and acting as if we have plenty of time to do whatever we wish.
William Barclay, the Scottish theologian, tells the story of three devils preparing to depart for Earth to begin their apprenticeship in deceiving people. Before leaving, each had an interview with Satan, the chief of all devils.
Satan asked the first devil, "How do you plan to deceive people and destroy them?" The first devil replied, "I plan to convince them that there is no God."
"And what about you?" Satan asked the second devil. The second devil answered, "I plan to convince people that there is no hell."
Finally, Satan turned to the third devil and asked, "What is your approach?" The third devil said, "My strategy will be simpler. I will convince people that they have plenty of time to prepare for death and for the Second Coming of Jesus." Satan smiled and said, "If you do that, you will deceive many."
The point is that there are certain things in life we should never put off until tomorrow because we cannot be sure that tomorrow will come for us. Advent serves as a reminder that we must always be prepared since we do not know when we will meet our maker. The intention to be ready is not enough; we must live the kind of lives that God desires for us. We should always be on the lookout for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
