C.S Lewis has a line in his Screwtape Letters for stragglers in no hurry to turn from evil and reform their lives. Student-devils were getting prepared to be dispatched to the earth to complete their coursework in causing mayhem. Satan held a one-on-one interview with each of them. To the first student, he asks: “What’s your strategy?” to which he responds, “I’ll instruct them that God doesn’t exist.” Satan shakes his head and responded, “Not so smart; most of them know our enemy exists. Next...” The next student enters: “I’ll persuasively argue that there’s nothing like hell,” to which the devil responds: “No way, after millions of abortions and murderous wars, they do know that hell exists. Next...” Then came the last student, a she-devil intern. She reveals that her strategy would be to tell humanity that they have plenty of time, to which the devil responds with a shrill smile: “Smart woman. Do that and you’ll bring them down here in droves.”
Advent comes, Advent goes! Year after year we arrive at this beginning of the liturgical year. We send across the same message that the coming of the Lord is near, and we have been doing so for 2000 years. Some wink and role their eyes: “Here we go again: Fr. Jo with his endless message of the end that doesn’t really come.” If that’s your default position, you must have been listening to Screwtape’s she-devil telling you there’s plenty of time. Jesus references a similar attitude prevalent during the time of Noah. People thought Noah was insane to be building a humongous ark in preparation for a flood that they considered a figment of his imagination—until the flood came and wiped them out. Given the signs of the time pointing forcefully to the end, Screwtape’s she-devil might have had her code cracked. We must now wait for the end with eye-popping vigilance.
We must wait as someone whose house is on fire. The interval between the burning house and the arrival of the fire-truck is a critical time that should not be spent on useless endeavors and search for thrills. It should be spent saving whatever is most essential. Our relationship with God is high up there.
As you’ll soon busy yourself with putting out the lights, preparing the Christmas Tree, setting the manger scene, and buying Christmas presents, I’ve this simple advice: Spend some time to reflect on your life and on your eternal destiny. Consider the possibility that you’re using up your last chance and could be lost forever. Jesus cautions that we beware of letting our hearts become coarsened with debauchery, drunkenness and the cares of this life, and that day springs on us like a trap or a thief at night. What’s the trap for which we should be watching out? Who is the thief? Anything or anyone who would steal our eternal salvation from us. The thieves we should be vigilant to stop this Advent are forces, influences, temptations that would steal the beautiful life that God has in store for us. If we succeed in warding off the night-thief, then would the Lord break into our heart and soul with His peace and serenity. That is the beauty of the incarnation. God Himself comes in the form of a babe to save us from all that could keep us from Him.
You might still say: “Not yet. I have some fun to catch up with; I have a business deal to complete that would rake in millions; maybe after the holiday.” The story is told about two Catholics who talked about salvation over drinks. One said: “I’m making my confession on my death-bed like the good thief.” His buddy replied: “There were two thieves on the cross; one of them didn’t make it to confession even though he had the eternal high priest with them. What makes you think you won’t be the other thief?” Evidently, as one lives his life, so shall he die. Last minute repentance is a grace given only to a few. The time to repent and renew our life is now!
Fr. Chukwudi Jo Okonkwo