Advent shifts our coordinates from searching for God to waiting for Him—a God who often feels distant in today’s distracted world. Distraction leads to superficial living, making it easy to overlook the depth and complexity of life. “As in the days of Noah, they ate and drank, married, and remained oblivious.” This can result in living without dreams or mystery.
It is possible to live “without noticing anything,” without glimpsing those who brush past you in your home, those who speak to you, those who suffered tragedy, or the poor person at your door.
We need to look around purposefully with our hearts, not our eyes; not looking for gifts, but becoming a gift to those around us. We know God is present, renewing His love, not just on one day, but every day.
Advent is a time of living with attention, avoiding the confusion between decoration and appearance, and being present, becoming gifts to those around us.
“Two men will be in the field, and two women will be grinding at the mill. One will be taken, and one will be left.” These words refer not to the end of the world, but to the ultimate meaning of existence. One person breaks his cocoon, embracing infinity, while the others remain confined to their own needs and cravings.
One lives for self, indulging in vanity while vanishing; the other shares love and sustenance. Only one is ready to meet the Lord in full awareness of life’s deeper call.