In a large household the gatekeeper held a crucial role. The owner placed an enormous trust in him. If he got distracted or fell asleep, he jeopardized every member of the household. We can see the importance of the gatekeeper by comparing him to the Roman sentry.

If a sentry in the Roman army dozed while on duty, he received a severe punishment. They stood him in the middle of his regiment and his fellow soldiers clubbed him to death. The watchman deserved death because by falling asleep he had exposed the others to mortal danger.

Jesus has placed certain people as gatekeepers or sentries - and tied the rest of us to them. His admonition, then, affects us all, “Be alert! Be watchful!” It’s not just that the Second Coming could happen at any moment – or even that, without warning, the curtain could fall on your life or mine. Rather, the danger is more immediate: if the gatekeeper fails in his duty, a robber might despoil the household at any moment. He could do it stealthily or worse, by violence.

This week I have been reading a book which made me reflect on the role of the watchman or gatekeeper: An Exorcist Tells His Story by Fr. Gabriele Amorth. The sensational title might deter some readers; that would be a shame because it contains solid theology.* I'm hardly a person who sees the devil under every stone - still, I couldn't put the book down. Not that it is scary like the Exorcist movie, but rather I found it sobering - like suddenly getting a clear diagnosis of a mysterious disease. Fr. Amorth describes a spiritual battle with an enemy ready to take advantage of any weakness or lack of vigilance.

In that battle we cannot rely on good deeds to protect us. Isaiah tells us they are “like polluted rags.” (64:6) Instead, as today’s Psalm states, we must turn to the true source of power: the Lord surrounded by his faithful angels. If we call upon them, we needn't fear the spiritual forces which rule this world. The Lord permits them to attack souls, for reasons which Fr. Amorth explains rather well, but He will not allow them final victory - except over the person who surrenders his will to them.**

As we begin these four weeks of Advent, we acknowledge the crucial role of the gatekeeper - not only the formal exorcist, but all those the Lord places on guard duty. To us he gives this solemn charge: “Stay awake. Be vigilant.”

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