The opening collect of today’s Mass asks God the Father that we would have “the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ with righteous deeds at his coming.” As we begin this Advent season of preparing to meet the Lord, are we truly making an effort to run forth or do we fit better the description Jesus warns against in the gospel, “drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life?”

Advent is a reminder that that Jesus really is coming back and we need to be ready. Much as students need to prepare for finals, so we too need to prepare for the “final final.” We can’t just stall and try to run out the clock in life. It’s time to stir up our efforts. No more sitting around. No more putting things off. It’s time to run forth!