One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with God. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand. One belonged to him and the other to God. When the last scene of his life flashed before him. He looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life. This really bothered him and he questioned God about it, “you said that once I decided to follow you, you’d walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don’t understand why when I needed you most you would leave me alone.” God replied, “my precious, precious man, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”

From this story we can underline two things as we enter into this advent season: first, in this advent season, what we are waiting for is a God who always is with us (Emmanuel). He walks with us, journey with us along the way. But, sometimes, we can not feel His presence or see his path because we have many other things and we forget the one thing. Jesus keeps telling us to seek first the Kingdom of God. He scolded Marta, "Martha, Martha, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

This happened in the time of Noah. People were so busy with many things or ordinary things; eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage. And they were not able to see and follow Noah. Noah instead, kept alert and trusting himself to be guided by God.

Thus, the second invitation in this waiting season is to keep watch and stay awake. Jesus said in today's gospel, "stay awake!" For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. Jesus reminds us not to lose our sight in reading the sign of times. Jesus does not look at the events of our times as a series of incidents and accidents that have little to do with us. Jesus wants us to turn our hearts to God and so discover the full meaning of our lives.

In this Advent season, let us stay awake so that we are able to see the blessings, the path of God, as He continues to journey with us, walk with us. And, as we light the candles of advent, let us not forget to light the candle of hope, faith, joy and peace in our hearts.