When one crosses the age of fifty, watching has become a part of life. We watch our weight, we watch the food we eat, we watch the people we deal with, we watch our finances, we watch our plans more intently, we even watch our steps. Some the things we watch because at this point we know that mortality is just around the corner.

The Gospel tells us, yes, to watch, but that is not the state of our body, but the state of our soul. Only because God can take our life anytime does the question become: “Are we prepared?”

Hence, three things we watch for:

• First, we watch our life for unfinished business. “If today was the last day of your life, what would you do?” Certainly, there are many important things that we should be doing which we set aside for next week, next month, next year or whenever we feel like doing. Realistically, the only time we have, is not tomorrow, but today. 
• Second, we watch for broken relationships. None of us is perfect and in the process, we encounter broken relationships. We pray that we may forgive not only seven times but seventy times seven times. We pray that we may forgive even if the other party does not ask for forgiveness and even continue to hurt us. Forgiveness is about taking away the hurt and the anger one step at a time. After all, life is short and swift and it is so hard to be consumed with anger, 
• Third, we watch our relationship with God. One of these days, we are going to be face to face with the Lord and we will be judged. As Christ, explained, it is about how we treat our neighbor, especially the least of our brethren. “When I was hungry, you gave me something to eat, thirsty, you gave me something to drink, naked and you clothed me….

The first week of Advent is about hope. While saying goodbye can be frightening, it is even made worse when we know our life is not attuned to the values of the Gospel. On the other hand, in a life that is short, swift, and borrowed, we can always be hopeful because God has a plan in all of these, God knows what is best, God will never abandon us and when he says it is time, hopefully we have been watching and are prepared. Watch out for unfinished business, watch out for broken relationships, and watch out for judgment.