Bar 5:1-9; Ps 125 (126); Ph 1:4-6,8-11; Lk 3:1-6
Persevere in Faith
Dear friends, today is the Second Sunday of Advent. This week, we lighted the candle of faith on the Advent Wreath. Faith is an essential component in the life of every human person. Faith keeps us moving on even when everything seems to be falling apart. Faith brings hope, and hope instills determination to move on despite the difficulties. The Messiah came to reveal to us a loving Father whom we can trust. Do you believe in God?
During the Advent season, the theme of captivity remains constant because it is for this reason that the Messiah came to us. In the first reading, from the Book of Baruch, Prophet Jeremiah’s scribe (secretary), God rekindles hope in the hearts of the people of Israel who were suffering in captivity. He says “They will no longer dress in sorry but in the beauty of the Glory of God. There will be everlasting peace in their land and their lost dignity will be given back to them. All the hills of misfortunes will be flattened, and the valleys of distress will be filled”. This was a very consoling and uplifting message for the people of Israel. Are you in a situation that needs redeeming right now? This message is for you too, trust in God and follow his guidance.
This message is also for all who are experiencing different captivities in our day-to-day lives. God created every one of us in love and intended that we all live in peace and prosperity here on earth and return to him. However, we all know that not everyone enjoys peace and prosperity due to the many misfortunes in life. Some people are suffering because of their own choices and decisions, while others because of the choices and decisions of other people. In any case, no one wishes to suffer. The message today is that through faith in Christ Jesus, our lives can transform because indeed as the psalmist proclaims, “The Lord can work marvelous for us”.
St. Paul is the one who introduced Philosophy into the mission of evangelization due to the type of audience he was preaching to – Hellenists. He went on to urge his listeners to pursue critical knowledge and perception of the Gospel so that they could judge for themselves what is best. We are intelligent beings capable of discerning what is best for us. However, sometimes we let ourselves be led by irrational appetites that plunge us into difficulties and disgrace, or self-proclaimed prophets who are illiterate of matters Kingdom of God. Even the most educated people are duped by the merchants of miracles and good fortunes. Reason is the handmaid of faith, do not be fooled.
The situation you find yourself in today was determined by the decisions you or others made. What we will be tomorrow also depends on our decisions or the decisions of others, (parents, spouses, friends, teachers, political leaders, religious leaders). It means that due to the cultural, political, social, economic, and religious systems in our society today, the majority of the people do not have autonomy of decision and must live with what those who control the systems decide. Many people are living in misery because of the actions or inactions of others. Many women and children are living in slavery today because their culture or religion dictates so. What kind of slavery do you find yourself today? Is it because of your doing or because of someone else?
I was one day shocked by the revelations made to me by a senior member of an international charity organization working in a big slam. He told me that the agenda of many such organizations is not to transform the conditions of the slam dwellers but rather to maintain the status quo. This is because the very existence of these organizations depends on it. There is enough evidence that points to this unfortunate fact in many parts of the world. These organizations raise a lot of funds in the name of the poor to create employment and luxury for themselves. The poor only get just enough to keep them alive.
Faith in the better things to come can be a very strong anchor in the lives of such people. The day when crooked paths will be made straight, the valley of misery filled, the mountains of problems laid low, the rough roads of marriages, careers, making ends meet smoothened. The voice of the one crying in the wilderness brings good tidings to those oppressed by the mighty of this world. Even in their inhuman conditions, God has a way of bringing joy to the poor and marginalized of the world. They may not have enough to eat but most of the time you will find a smile on their faces.
Dear friends, you who are reading this reflection may not be categorized as poor and marginalized as far as material needs are concerned. Still, you lack many basic things in life such as peace, happiness, trust, hope, security, etc. You may not believe it, but this may be because you have something to do with the condition of those who are materially poor. Just think about it, is there anyone suffering today because of my actions or inaction?
Have a blessed Sunday
Fr. Lawrence Muthee, SVD
SVD JAMBO KENTAN 