Posted by The WORD in other words (2006) by Father Emil Lim SVD – Hong Kong
Friday 29th Week in Ordinary Time
As we say in the Philippines, when the months begin to end in “-ber” and the radio starts playing Christmas carols, we know that Christmas is approaching. Jesus might well ask us: Why do we become so quickly excited about Christmas while overlooking Advent, the season that calls us to prepare our hearts for his coming?
Someone who wants the celebration without going through the preparation, or who desires victory without first engaging in the struggle, might be called a “short-circuit Christian.” In the Christian life, there are no shortcuts. First things first. Jesus wants us to do our spiritual homework.
Before rushing to the judge, Jesus tells us to seek reconciliation with our opponent along the way (Luke 12:58). Likewise, before approaching the altar, we are called to examine our relationships with others. Jesus says: “If you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar… first be reconciled” (Matthew 5:23-24).
When it comes to making peace with those who have wronged us, or with those whom we ourselves have wronged, we may wonder whether there is such a thing as “the right time.” Perhaps Jesus is telling us not so much to wait for the right time as simply to make the time. Saint Paul expresses this urgency when he says, “Do not let the sun go down on your anger” (Ephesians 4:26).
Reconciliation cannot always be postponed until tomorrow. We need not wait until the end, because, more often than not, when the end arrives, it may already be too late. Scripture reminds us: “Now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation!” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
In politics, a peace treaty is less costly than going to war. The Gospel suggests that something similar is true of our emotional and spiritual lives. A warlike mentality can cost us sleepless nights, disturbed days, weakened bodies, and restless souls. Hatred burdens not only the person against whom it is directed, but also the heart that carries it.
Hatred, therefore, can never be a winning remedy. Jesus proposes another way: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). Saint Paul echoes the same invitation: “If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Romans 12:18).
Advent, then, is not simply a countdown to Christmas. It is an invitation to prepare a place for Christ by clearing from our hearts whatever prevents him from entering fully. “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight” (Luke 3:4). Sometimes the road that most urgently needs to be made straight is the road between my heart and the heart of another person.
Before celebrating the Prince of Peace at Christmas (Isaiah 9:6), perhaps the most meaningful preparation we can make is to become peacemakers ourselves: to forgive, to ask forgiveness, to reconcile, and, whenever possible, to restore the relationships that have been broken.
The right time for reconciliation may not be tomorrow. The right time may simply be now.
