Stay Awake with Active Faith and not just a Check list for Advent

Fr. Ino begins with humour about the everyday struggles we face during Mass - wandering thoughts, distractions, and even trying to stay awake during the homily - to lead into the Gospel's call for the First Sunday of Advent: "Stay Awake."He explains that staying awake has two meanings:Firstly, it means being conscious and aware of God's coming, not only the unknown moment of Christ's Second coming, but also His daily presence in the ordinary moments and people around us. He shares the story of a young woman who prayed for a stranger who was in tears, showing how Christ can be encountered in others when our hearts are awake.Secondly, staying awake means living an active faith and not treating religion as a checklist. True wakefulness is active love - bringing God's love and values beyond the Church into daily life. When faith becomes passive, even believers can fall into corruption or selfishness.To stay awake is to stay aware, loving, and faithful.- Sunday Homily by Fr. Victorino Cueto, C.Ss.R. (30 November 2025)