Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck
A reflection on the Gospel of Matthew 24:37-44
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
Today I want to share with you the story of my best friend, Mark—a man who, like many of us, always considered himself a person of faith. Mark was faithful to Mass, devoted to service, and kept his rosary close by. Then came that dreadful day: his company downsized, and he lost his job. Suddenly, his world was turned upside down.
Job hunting became his entire focus. Mark poured over online applications, crafted cover letters, hustled every hour of the day, skipping meals, and convincing himself that Sundays were too precious to spend at church. “I’ll pray later,” he thought. “Right now, I have to work.” Sound familiar? Life’s uncertain moments can shake us, and when our routine is upended, it’s all too easy to assume we’ll come back to God—once life is less complicated.
But weeks of rejection wore Mark down. His faith felt distant; his hope, almost gone. It took a caring friend from church to reach out, listen, and gently remind Mark that we need God most when we feel out of control—not because God will solve our troubles instantly, but because He promises to walk with us through them. Jesus calls us to “stay awake”—not to let worry, fear, or busyness blanket our faith.
That very night, Mark picked up his rosary, dusted off his prayer life, and asked not for a job, but for peace. The next day he went back to Mass. Being there, he noticed something different—something softer and clearer in the choir’s song, something opening up inside himself. In the weeks that followed, Mark rebuilt his rhythm of prayer, reconnected with his community, and felt his anxiety begin to loosen its grip.
A new job eventually came, through a connection he made at church—one he’d have missed if he’d stayed isolated. But looking back, Mark realized that the real transformation wasn’t finding work. It was learning to stay awake to God’s presence, preparing his heart for Jesus’ arrival in ways he’d almost overlooked. And it made all the difference.
Waking from Spiritual Sleep: An Urgent Call to Advent Readiness
There is a powerful quote from St. Benedict: “It is time now for us to rise from sleep.” This is the heartbeat of our Gospel today. In Matthew 24, Jesus urges us to wake up, to prepare for His coming, not with panic and frantic activity, but with open, ready hearts—just as Noah quietly built the ark while the world around him carried on as usual. Life for many of us isn’t a grand drama, but a long string of busy, ordinary days. And it’s precisely there—in those routines and distractions—that Jesus cautions us not to sleepwalk, but to remain awake.
Jesus’ message is clear: we do not know the day or the hour. Our readiness for His arrival isn’t about knowing when, but about living every day as if it could be today—awake, aware, and attentive. Real preparation means aligning our lives with His teachings, nurturing our relationships, and staying watchful, so we don’t miss His presence—hidden sometimes in the very places we drift away.
Practical Ways to Stay Awake: Advent Attentiveness with the Holy Spirit
So how do we do this, practically, as busy people of faith? We set aside regular times for prayer, even brief ones. We read Scripture, not just for information, but for transformation. We worship and keep the sacraments central—especially the Eucharist. We pause to give thanks, serve others, carve out moments of silence amid the noise, and take time at day’s end to ask: Where was God today?
These simple habits help keep our hearts awake and aware, but none of us can do it alone. The Holy Spirit is our Advocate—the One who inspires our prayer, helps us understand, strengthens us when we struggle, and gently guides us to notice God’s hand in both stillness and storm.
Staying awake to God isn’t about being perfect. It’s about returning, again and again, letting the Holy Spirit lead us to wakefulness, so we meet Jesus not as a stranger, but as a friend—right here, right now, and in every coming day.
Let us pray:
LORD God, we thank and praise You for the gift of the Holy Spirit, who gently guides our hearts and readies us to welcome Jesus anew this Advent. In moments of silence and in the bustle of daily life, Your Spirit reminds us to stay awake to Your presence. Fill us with hope, renew our faith, and open our eyes to recognize Christ at work within and around us. Blessed be Your name for the grace that prepares us to greet Your Son with joy.
We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
About Our Guest Blogger
Saint Carlo Acutis once said, “Not me, but God.” His words echo deeply in my own spiritual life. This blog is not about me, but about the work of the Holy Spirit. I choose to remain anonymous because the voice behind these reflections isn’t what matters — the One speaking through them is.
I am a lifelong Catholic with a deep love for Scripture, the sacraments, and the quiet ways God speaks through everyday life. Live the Eucharist was born from my desire to share how the Gospel and the Eucharist shape not just my Sundays, but every step of the journey.
My hope is that these reflections bless you, challenge you, and draw you closer to Jesus — truly present in the Eucharist and profoundly present in your daily life.
