Tonight marks the beginning of a new liturgical season, with the Vigil for the First Sunday of Advent. I love this time of year!  Even more than January 1, with the calendar’s New Year, this is a season of reflection, evaluation, course-correction, and preparation.

For what? For living our lives more faithfully for God.

I am taking stock of my various roles and responsibilities (a couple of new ones, this year) and looking at how to be more effective in performing them. From my housekeeping (always a weak point) to time management (too many games on Facebook) to the sacramental life (how long has it been since I went to Confession? It’s important to confess venial sins, too, before they grow into a nasty problem), the way I treat people I encounter during the day . .  everything counts.

After all, Advent is the time to “Prepare ye the way of the Lord” — not just as He is born in Bethlehem but also as the King of Kings — and Lord of our hearts.