Fr. Erik Tjeunfin, sx
Today is the first Sunday of Advent season. The main theme of the holy readings is the assurance of God’s coming to save his people from the darkness and desperation. God can’t be silent and just watch his people who suffer. Through the prophet Isaiah, God says “Can a mother forget her nursing child and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you” (Is 49:15).
The first reading, taken from the book of Jeremiah (Jer 33:14-17), describes how God will bring restoration to his people who are in exile because of the Babylon invasion. They experience insecurity, losing homeland and identity, and even the prophet Jeremiah himself is imprisoned. In this situation, God addresses Jeremiah to tell His people not to lose hope and trust in Him. If He is the God who made the earth, formed and established it (cf Jer 33:1), so He will also ‘control’ and restore it. What He needs from them is a collaboration which is to be faithful their word and deeds towards his commandments and promise. As he is God of integrity or righteousness, who is consistent to his words and promise, he will surely send a righteous branch (savior) from David’s line to save them from their evil darkness (cf Jer 33:15-16).
As first reading tells us about the paradox of having faith in God who is the Savior and at the same time experiencing suffering and corruption. The Gospel reading (Luk 21:25-28,34-36) explains how Jesus tries to strengthen his listeners to stay awake towards the undesirable situations which will happen. He will experience persecution, suffering and death because He wants to bring restoration to all creatures. And even his disciples will experience persecution, hardship, destruction and their mission, etc. But that’s not the end, He will resurrect and bring new life to them. The inevitable situation, that they will or even now they experience (eschatology), paradoxically brings new commitment and restoration of their faith in Him. That is the reason Jesus tells them to stay awake, keep the faith and do goodness.
Therefore, the message of our Sunday’s readings is to have more hope in God. Sometimes we experience like things falling apart in our family, community and country, and it seems out of control. However, through the readings of today, God reminds us that He is our Savior and will not forget to save us. What He needs from us is unwavering faith (hope) in Him and to continue to do His will in our lives especially when we experience challenges. As today, we light up the first advent candle which symbolizes Hope so, let us light up our hope (faith) in God and bring hope and light for our brothers and sisters. Together with St Paul in his first letter to the Thessalonians (1Thes 3:12-4:2), we pray may the Lord increase our faith and love towards Him so that we make progress and conversion in our life. Amen.
Today is the first Sunday of Advent season. The main theme of the holy readings is the assurance of God’s coming to save his people from the darkness and desperation. God can’t be silent and just watch his people who suffer. Through the prophet Isaiah, God says “Can a mother forget her nursing child and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you” (Is 49:15).
The first reading, taken from the book of Jeremiah (Jer 33:14-17), describes how God will bring restoration to his people who are in exile because of the Babylon invasion. They experience insecurity, losing homeland and identity, and even the prophet Jeremiah himself is imprisoned. In this situation, God addresses Jeremiah to tell His people not to lose hope and trust in Him. If He is the God who made the earth, formed and established it (cf Jer 33:1), so He will also ‘control’ and restore it. What He needs from them is a collaboration which is to be faithful their word and deeds towards his commandments and promise. As he is God of integrity or righteousness, who is consistent to his words and promise, he will surely send a righteous branch (savior) from David’s line to save them from their evil darkness (cf Jer 33:15-16).
As first reading tells us about the paradox of having faith in God who is the Savior and at the same time experiencing suffering and corruption. The Gospel reading (Luk 21:25-28,34-36) explains how Jesus tries to strengthen his listeners to stay awake towards the undesirable situations which will happen. He will experience persecution, suffering and death because He wants to bring restoration to all creatures. And even his disciples will experience persecution, hardship, destruction and their mission, etc. But that’s not the end, He will resurrect and bring new life to them. The inevitable situation, that they will or even now they experience (eschatology), paradoxically brings new commitment and restoration of their faith in Him. That is the reason Jesus tells them to stay awake, keep the faith and do goodness.
Therefore, the message of our Sunday’s readings is to have more hope in God. Sometimes we experience like things falling apart in our family, community and country, and it seems out of control. However, through the readings of today, God reminds us that He is our Savior and will not forget to save us. What He needs from us is unwavering faith (hope) in Him and to continue to do His will in our lives especially when we experience challenges. As today, we light up the first advent candle which symbolizes Hope so, let us light up our hope (faith) in God and bring hope and light for our brothers and sisters. Together with St Paul in his first letter to the Thessalonians (1Thes 3:12-4:2), we pray may the Lord increase our faith and love towards Him so that we make progress and conversion in our life. Amen.