From the Pastor
Fr. Mike Comer shares his thoughts on Scripture, spirituality and the challenges of living the Gospel.
was jesus woke?
Nov. 30, 2025
A very controversial word that is used in our public discourse these days is “woke.” Those who think of themselves as woke believe the term indicates that they are politically awake in dealing with issues of race, of differences in culture, in awareness of injustice. Those who oppose the term see it as being politically liberal, or even radical, in those matters, and of being anti-police, anti-white, anti-male, and anti-heterosexual. Both use the term in very vague but inflammatory ways.
As we begin the season of Advent, we will hear John the Baptist and Jesus calling for the people of that time to “wake up”! They accuse the Jewish people of that time of being spiritually asleep. Their religious practice had fallen into much lukewarmness, and many had ceased to actively prepare for and expect the coming of the Messiah.
This First Sunday of Advent puts us before the time of the coming of Christ, so that we can share with the Jewish people the anticipation of the coming of a Savior who would liberate them from their enemies and restore the full nation of Israel. Their experience of waiting and preparing informs our own waiting and preparing for the Second Coming of Christ.
Are we awake and ready to meet Christ when He comes? There are actually three comings of Christ. The first was when He came to us 2,000 years ago in Israel. The third is the Second Coming of Jesus at the end of time. Between these two is a third, when we die, and He comes to take us home to the Father.
The question for us is, are we ready for His coming at the end of time to meet and welcome Him. If that does not happen during our lifetime, are we ready to meet and welcome Him at our death? And what do we need to do to be ready?
As we begin the season of Advent, we will hear John the Baptist and Jesus calling for the people of that time to “wake up”! They accuse the Jewish people of that time of being spiritually asleep. Their religious practice had fallen into much lukewarmness, and many had ceased to actively prepare for and expect the coming of the Messiah.
This First Sunday of Advent puts us before the time of the coming of Christ, so that we can share with the Jewish people the anticipation of the coming of a Savior who would liberate them from their enemies and restore the full nation of Israel. Their experience of waiting and preparing informs our own waiting and preparing for the Second Coming of Christ.
Are we awake and ready to meet Christ when He comes? There are actually three comings of Christ. The first was when He came to us 2,000 years ago in Israel. The third is the Second Coming of Jesus at the end of time. Between these two is a third, when we die, and He comes to take us home to the Father.
The question for us is, are we ready for His coming at the end of time to meet and welcome Him. If that does not happen during our lifetime, are we ready to meet and welcome Him at our death? And what do we need to do to be ready?
Advent is a time of deep prayerful reflection on these matters. It is a penitential season, when we are called to look at ourselves carefully and to go to Confession. All of us sin and need some degree of reconciliation with God. Jesus created the Sacrament of Reconciliation, or Confession, on that first Easter Sunday night, when He breathed on the Apostles and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit! Whose sins you shall forgive are forgiven them.” This authority to forgive sins has been handed down through the ministry of bishops and priests. There is no backup plan in the Scriptures for those who don’t like this option.
Like Lent, Advent is also a time to work on growing in our compassion and love. How can we show deeper love of neighbor, whoever that neighbor might be? Can we visit or call someone who is homebound or is in nursing care? Is there a neighbor or friend or family member who is ill and could use a good meal dropped off? There are limitless opportunities to serve.
Have we forgiven those who have injured us in any way? Are we willing to let go of resentments and anger? And have we asked for forgiveness of those whom we have wounded in some way?
Have a great Advent! May you come to the Christmas season with your heart awake and open and ready to meet Christ.
—Fr. Mike Comer
Like Lent, Advent is also a time to work on growing in our compassion and love. How can we show deeper love of neighbor, whoever that neighbor might be? Can we visit or call someone who is homebound or is in nursing care? Is there a neighbor or friend or family member who is ill and could use a good meal dropped off? There are limitless opportunities to serve.
Have we forgiven those who have injured us in any way? Are we willing to let go of resentments and anger? And have we asked for forgiveness of those whom we have wounded in some way?
Have a great Advent! May you come to the Christmas season with your heart awake and open and ready to meet Christ.
—Fr. Mike Comer
