Posted by The WORD in other words (2018) by Fr Arlo Bernardo Yap SVD – Catholic Trade Manila
1st Sunday of Advent – C
Time flies. Suddenly it’s December. Suddenly it’s Advent.
Many events have happened this 2018. Many persons we have met. And loved ones we have lost. Now we are in the Advent season. We are nearing Christmas. Christmas lights and decorations are slowly being taken out of our cabinets and boxes. This allows us to begin decorating our homes.
We may have lots of concerns nowadays: planning Christmas parties and family reunions, weddings and many others. But one thing is crucial: focus on the most essential and vital in this life.
Our Gospel today tells us that when the Son of Man comes again, there will be natural calamities. People will die in fear.
The first reading reveals to us the Lord’s promise. He will raise up a shoot for David. This shoot will do what is good and just for Judah and Jerusalem.
While St. Paul advises the Thessalonians on how to conduct themselves to please God. To capture all these thoughts, one thing is crucial: focus on what are most essential and vital in this life.
First, focus on your faith. Do not live in fear of natural calamities at the end time. Keep your faith in God. This faith can make you stand erect and raise your heads because your salvation is near.
Second, focus on your oblation. Oblation is an offering to God in conducting yourself that is pleasing to Him.
Third, focus on your charity. Even St. Paul prays: “May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all…”
Fourth, focus on your union with your community of believers. St. Paul adds that you strengthen your heart to be blameless in holiness with all God’s holy ones.
And fifth, focus on your salvation upon the second coming of Jesus.
According to Jeremiah, the Lord promises that you will be safe and secure like Judah and Jerusalem.
You have Faith, Oblation, Charity, and Union with your community. You have Salvation as He promised. This means you got your FOCUS on what is most essential and vital in this life.
This is Advent. It is a sacred time. We are called to have an attitude of FOCUS. This attitude helps us welcome Jesus in a more meaningful way as He comes again. Then each of us can say: To you, O Lord, I lift my soul!
