Isaiah 63:16-17; 64:1, 3-8 / 1 Cor 1:3-9 / Mark 13:33-37
It is said that an opportunity knocks only once. That means to say that it won't come knocking again.
And we know that it is quite true from our experience of missed opportunities.
For example, we see something that we wanted to get, like, let's say, a smartwatch, and it looks appealing, and within our budget.
Then we may think that it might be cheaper online, so we go home and look for it but it is not available.
Then we go back to the shop the next day, but it was sold, and there are no more stocks available, and we get disappointed.
When an opportunity is missed, then there can only be regrets.
We would like to blame something or someone for a missed opportunity.
But, if we are honest with ourselves, then we know that there is no one to blame but ourselves.
A further reflection would also make us ask ourselves as in why and how we missed the opportunity.
Why were we not alert enough to see the opportunity coming or hear it knocking?
Maybe it could be because opportunities do not come in nice-looking and pretty packaging.
Opportunities also do not sound sweet and pleasant. In fact, it may sound troublesome.
In other words, we may not see the opportunity because it does not fit into our ideas or expectations.
And because of that, we may even avoid and reject the opportunity.
In the gospel, Jesus tells His disciples to be on their guard, to stay awake, to be alert.
He uses a parable of the master of the house who has gone from home, and left his servants in charge, each with his own task.
And the master also specifically instructed the door keeper to stay awake and to be alert for his return.
And Jesus also says that the master of the house would come back unexpectedly.
As we begin the season of Advent, let us ponder on the gospel passage that is presented to us.
Advent is a time of waiting in anticipation and expectation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
So, Christmas will come for sure, and we can be so certain of it. So, we may spend these four weeks of Advent preparing for Christmas, with decorations and celebrations, as if Christmas is already here.
We might be busy with all that and did not listen to the knock on the door.
It is like the doorkeeper leaving his post and getting busy with other things.
And then the master of the house comes back unexpectedly, and he knocks and no one opens the door to welcome him.
We can imagine the disappointment and the frustration of the master of the house.
The season of Advent brings us back to the duty of the door keeper.
As doorkeepers, we wait patiently and silently, to listen to that knock on the door.
It requires persistence and perseverance to be still and to be silent, to be silent so that we can listen.
Then we can hear the knock on the door of our family life, to open the door to praying together, so that the family will stay together.
And we can also hear the knock on the door of our hearts, because Jesus wants to come in and make His home in our hearts.
It is in opening the Bible and reading and meditating on the Word of God that we welcome Jesus into our hearts.
Whenever Jesus knocks, there is the opportunity of blessings.
But opportunity does not come without difficulty and distraction.
Let this Advent be a time where we keep still and silent.
When we keep still and be silent, then we will be able to listen to the knock on the door.
When we open the door, Jesus will grant us His blessings, and it will be blessing in abundance.
Let us not miss that opportunity.