Weekly HOMILY for December 3, 2006: 3 Habits for Advent

1st Sunday of Advent, Cycle C
Our Lady of Grace
December 3, 2006

3 Habits for Advent
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato


Covey’s Interior Habits

Most of us have heard of the book entitled The 7 Habits for Highly Effective People. It was written by Steven Covey (COVE-ee) and has been a national bestseller.

In the book, Covey is not just describing effective businessmen and women. He is talking about how to be effective and good spouses, parents, friends, or citizens.

He sees seven habits as important for effectiveness and the first three of these deal with our interior dispositions.

Covey says that highly effective people are, first of all, proactive. Second, they live with the end in mind. And third, they put first things first.

Today, I am suggesting that that these three habits are right on target for the Season of Advent that we begin today.

They express well the messages in our Advent readings this weekend.


1. Be Proactive

First, Covey says that highly effective people are proactive.

In other words, they take the initiative; they don’t sit back and re-act to things that come their way.

We often see a proactive stance in successful businesses. For example, the merger of one bank with another is often a proactive way for them both to grow and offer their services more effectively.

The Scripture readings also call us as persons of faith to be proactive.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus calls us to be proactive and “pray for strength” to live out our lives. And in the second reading, St. Paul calls us to be proactive again in “overflowing with love for one another.”

Thus, we are to pray not just when we need something, but to pray everyday for the strength to keep growing in the Lord’s ways. We are to reach out to help those in need or to do our part in patching up a relationship.

These are very powerful ways of being proactive as persons of faith.


2: Live with the End in Mind

Second, Steven Covey says that highly effective people live with an end in mind. That is to say, they are always goal-oriented.

Again, we often see this in the business world.

For example, it appears that companies like McDonald’s have the goal of a good market share of the fast-food industry, and so they are always testing food preferences as a way to attract more customers. So McDonald’s now sells chicken and tacos.

The Scripture readings also call us as persons of faith to live with an end or goal in mind.

In the first reading, the prophet Jeremiah reminds us that “the days are coming” when the Lord will send the Savior into our midst. And in the Gospel, Jesus uses some very startling images to describe the coming of the Savior.

So one way we can live with the end in mind is to use the Penitential Rite at the beginning of Mass as a moment to check the quality of our lives. And, of course, the Sacrament of Reconciliation at our upcoming Advent Penance Service a week from this Tuesday is another way to make sure of our readiness right now for that unknown moment.

These are both concrete ways of living our days with the end in mind as persons of faith.


3: Put First Things First

And finally, Covey says that highly effective people put first things first and second things second.

In other words, they live with a sense of priorities. Again, we see this in the business world.

I know of a car dealership that realizes that quality service and repair is crucial, and they make this a priority in their entire operation; they take you home, pick you up, and even tow free of charge.

The Scripture readings also call us as persons of faith to put first things first. So we have Jesus cautioning us today not to drift into a life of “self-indulgence.” And Paul very positively calls us to be “blameless and holy.”

The important things in life must remain first. So, in preparing for Christmas we need to give time and attention to our spouses and children, our parents or good friends, and not let the hectic pace of the season put them second.

Yes, a very concrete way of putting first things first as persons of faith.


Conclusion

So, today as we begin Advent, we are given wisdom for these four weeks and for our life all year round.

Success as a believer in Jesus will come from (1) Being proactive, (2) Living with the end or goal in mind, and (3) Putting first things first.

Putting these into practice could find us celebrating Christmas in a whole new and deeper way.