Posted by The WORD in other words (2023) by Fr Oscar Alunday SVD – Divine Word College of Vigan, Ilocus Sur
1st Sunday of Advent – B
The Gregorian calendar marks December 3 as the 337th day of the year, with 28 days remaining until the end of the year 2023. This day is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities and it aims to promote an understanding “of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of people with disabilities.”
We remember today as a day of mourning for the thousands of people who died and for over 250,000 injured due to the leak of toxic gases from the Bhopal Union Carbide Factory in Central India. In some countries, the 3rd of December is also a National Day of Giving to appreciate how fortunate we are for the “roof over our head” and the many other things we take for granted.
It is a day when people welcome the homeless in their homes for the night, and a day of thanksgiving for what people have and to remember “that it is a better feeling than worrying about what you do not have.”
Like the First Reading, Isaiah airs his complaints to God as one who has hidden his face and allowed people to suffer due to human crimes. At the end, Isaiah confesses his faith to God as Father who cares and molds people according to his divine design, “We are all the work of your hand.”
Paul follows Isaiah’s thoughts with an attitude of thanksgiving. There’s no reason to complain and worry because of the generosity of God, who sees to it that everyone is equipped with skills and spiritual gifts in Jesus Christ. God is always faithful.
At the end of the year, in the month of December, it is good to recognize the faithfulness of God in our daily lives.
If God is faithful to the end, everyone is challenged to “be watchful and alert,” like the security guards who are alert in their time of duty day in and day out.
The keyword is WATCHfulness: watching the Words we say whether they are edifying, teaching, consoling, warning; watching our Actions since actions speak louder than words; watching our Thoughts–opinions, reflections; watching our Companions and friends (our friends tell a lot about ourselves); watching our Hearts (our emotions, sentiments, awareness). So that when the Lord comes into our lives, we are indeed “watchful and alert” all the time.
