Second Sunday of Advent

Readings
BAR 5:1-9
PS 126:1-6
PHIL 1:4-6, 8-11
LK 3:1-6

The readings of the Second Sunday of Advent encourage us to be joyful. Prophet Baruch asks us, “take off your robe of mourning and misery and put on the splendor of glory from God forever.”

                               

Certainly, there are many things that trouble you, i.e. sickness of yourself or your relatives, misunderstanding in the family, financial difficulties, problems with children or in the work, etc. The cloud of difficulties is many times so heavy and dark. How can we see the splendor of God’s glory behind all these difficulties?

Do not be troubled. Raise your head and listen to the words of the Prophet Baruch, who continues, “your children led away on foot by their enemies, have left you, but God will bring them back to you. For God is leading Israel in joy by the light of his glory, with his mercy and justice.” Do not mourn but trust in God. He knows your problems. Look back, remember the good things, and say with the psalmist, “The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy. Although they go forth weeping, they shall come back rejoicing.” A day of rejoicing is coming. It is a Christmas Day, when Jesus is coming as a little Baby, yet in the splendor of God’s glory.

Therefore, let us prepare ourselves for His coming. St. Luke writes that St. John the Baptist saw the way, how to prepare for the coming of the Lord, by proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins according to the Prophet Isaiah. With strong voice, he was crying in the desert, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths, and you will see the salvation of God.” Look in your heart and make smooth what is rough in your relationship with others. Be upright in your speech to God and to others. Fill the valley of division with understanding and love. Even St. Paul in the Letter to Philippians confesses that he pray for all of us with joy that our love may increase more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is valuable. Thus we shall be filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

This week, let us try to do everything with joy for the glory and praise of God and the salvation of our neighbors.

First Sunday of Advent

Readings
JER 33:14-16
PS 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14 
1 THES 3:12-4:2
LK 21:25-28, 34-36

At the beginning of the new liturgical year we hear the encouraging words of the Prophet Jeremiah, “In those days, they shall be safe and dwell secure” (Cf. Jeremiah 33:15). Can we imagine that “those days” are “these days” the days of peace and security, which just have begun? Can we believe or hope for peace and security today, in the middle of violence, hatred, insecurity, natural disasters, etc.? It seems to be a time about which Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel, “People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heaven will be shaken” (Lk 21:26).

1. Yes, we can and even must believe and hope for it, because Jesus encourages us, “stand erect and rise your heads because your redemption is at hand” (Lk 21:28). These discouraging happenings, which we see and experience, are the signs of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Redeemer.

2. Yes, because the new liturgical year brings us new beginnings. We can leave everything that is wrong behind us and start anew. St. Paul tells us what to do, “increase and abound in love for one another and for all, strengthen your hearts, and be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones” (Thes 3:12-13). So, Jesus also asks us, “Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent” (Lk 21:36).

3. Yes, because on Christmas Day we will celebrate Jesus’ coming to us. He is Love sent to us by our God the Father. Now is the time to prepare our hearts that Jesus - Love may dwell in us and among us.

4. Yes, because even the Blessed and Saints are example for us. For a good preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ Blessed Alphonse Marie encourages us, “We never struggle alone. Jesus helps us. If we love Him, all sufferings become pleasant and bearable for us. May the thought of heaven give you courage. Consider that the saints became holy only through struggles and suffering.”

Have a blessed preparation for Christmas.