Mic 5:1-4; Ps 79 (80); Heb 10:5-10; Lk 1:39-45
The New Covenant
Dear friends, today is the fourth and the last Sunday of Advent. We have a few days left before Christmas. The second reading inspires our theme today. Jesus was born to the world so that he would replace the Old Testament covenant that was sealed by the blood of animal sacrifices. These sacrifices could not redeem the people completely because they were themselves incomplete. By his own perfect sacrifices which were offered once and for all times, Jesus replaced all other sacrifices.
The birth of Christ was the culmination of a long salvific journey initiated by God himself to redeem humankind from slavery. The first two chapters of the Book of Genesis narrate two beautiful creation stories putting man at the apex of all creation. Chapter three describes the fall of man and the promise God made to save him. The Old Testament narrates how God attempted uncountable times to bring his people back to his covenant. Finally, when the right time came, God sent his only son, the perfect man, to restore the lost glory by offering his own life for the restoration of the fallen humanity. Many prophets had spoken about the coming Messiah and the people were very eager for that day to come. Do you need liberation of some sort in your life now?
As we enter Christmas festivity mode, I invite us to apply the meaning of Christmas to our own lives. The journey of salvation through Christ is a continuous exercise of transformation until the day when we will become as he is. In the life of a Christian, every day is an opportunity to become a better person, that is, more faithful, truthful, generous, thankful, charitable, etc. Do you make efforts to become a better person every day?
God chose Israel as the community where his plan of salvation would be realized just as he would have chosen any other community. The traditional culture of every tribe in the world is equivalent to the Old Testament of the people of Israel. Each culture has its own way of relating to the divine realm. In this respect, no one tribe can claim to have a superior culture to another. Therefore, the Gospel of salvation is not tied to one culture or another. Instead, it permeates and transforms all human cultures and traditions, liberating the people from practices contrary to God’s plan and will. Just like the culture of the Israelites, many world cultures are filled with discrimination and injustice towards some of its groups. In the community where I minister, it is women and children who are most discriminated against. They are considered instruments of men’s prosperity and enjoyment. Which group is the most discriminated against in your culture? Do you think that these discriminatory practices are God’s plan and will?
In the book of Hebrews, Jesus accepts to be the bridge between the old and the new, “Here I am! I come to do your will” (Heb 10:9). He replaces the old sacrifices of lambs with his own sacrifice hence the name “Lamb of God, he who takes away the sins of the world”. In Baptism, God calls us to do his will. Do you think that what you are doing at this moment in your life is the will of God?
The Gospel passage narrates what happened when Elizabeth encountered the Mother of our Saviour. When Mary learned from the Angel that her elderly cousin was with her child, She decided to go and help her out. Elizabeth is the first to recognize that Mary is no longer the same because something special has happened to her. At the mere greeting of Mary, the Holy Spirit fills Elizabeth and the child in her womb (John the Baptist) leaps for joy. This is what is supposed to happen to the people we encounter if truly Jesus abides in us. Have you encountered Christ in someone? Do others encounter Christ when you greet them?
Christmas brings good tidings to everyone in all our circumstances. To the sick Christ brings healing, to the oppressed freedom, to the hungry bread, to the desperate hope, to the broken healing, and all other human sufferings. This good news must find a herald in you and me. What kind of information do you spread to others? The Good News of salvation or gossip about others?
Dear friends, what others experience when they encounter you is the yardstick for the authenticity of your Christian-living. If your mere presence causes uneasiness and pain to others, then what is in you is not Christ but the evil one who thrives in causing suffering to others. We can always become better people if we let the Messiah be born in our hearts. Do you want to become a better person?
Have a blessed Sunday
Fr. Lawrence Muthee, SVD
SVD JAMBO KENTAN 