God’s promise does not stem from a political system or a monarchy but from the root of David. We hear it in the First Reading (Jeremiah 33:14-16) on this First Sunday of Advent. God’s promise has a Davidic character. A shoot, a sign of new life springing from a previous life, will be raised for the Davidic house— a house where all political groups, both from the South and the Northern Kingdom, would be united under David and where the practice of justice and righteousness will reign.
Isn’t this our wish for our country, church, and society? We long for God’s promise: the end of division, peace and justice, harmony and prosperity for all people.
As we wait for God’s promise, we must pray for God’s guidance. To receive this, we must be men and women of prayer whose hearts reach to God like the words of Psalm 16: “To you, O Lord, I lift my soul. Your ways, O Lord, make known to me; teach me your paths, Guide me in your truth, and teach me, for you are God my savior, and for you, I wait all the day.”
As we grow in prayer, we must pray for discernment and courage to preach the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ in the context of our people’s and society’s lives. Hence, the Second Reading urges us to strengthen our hearts and to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father.
The Gospel that we must preach must be the Gospel of love and mercy. And so, St. Paul in the Second Reading (1 Thes 3:12—4:2) urges us with these words:
“May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and all, just as we have for you.”
While we await the Second Coming, we must continue to build a community rooted in justice and peace. The Church is at a critical juncture; our people need us to bring meaning to their lives and support those who are fearful. As we strive to be responsible citizens of our country, we must also declare our allegiance to Jesus and the Spirit of the Gospel.
We must also tell our people not to lose courage and hope amidst the challenges of our times. Dianne Bergant alludes to this in her explanation of the upheavals portrayed in this Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 21:25-28, 34-36).
“As startling as all this may be, the upheavals are really signs that portend the advent of redemption. Cosmic turmoil calls to mind the primordial chaos out of which God brought order anew. In the case described in the Gospel passage, the disturbances are probably less predictions of actual historical images portraying the end of one age and the birth of another. The upheaval described here, whether it is meant as cosmic, national, or spiritual, will cause such anguish that people will die of fright. Despite this, Jesus tells his listeners to stand erect and raise their heads when all this happens rather than be covered in fear. For those faithfully awaiting God’s revelation, this will not be a time of punishment. Rather, it will be the advent of the new age of fulfillment.”
And so Jesus tells his disciples to prepare: Beware! Take heed! Be alert! Don’t be caught by surprise!
Friends, indeed, this time in our lives is a call to holiness—not merely from a prayer life or devotion to the Eucharist, but a period of spiritual growth in love as the Body of Christ. We must challenge our community to pursue authentic holiness rooted in love for God and neighbor. We urge our people to reflect on the question: Who is my neighbor?
May this Advent season inspire us to reach out to people, especially to those who need to feel God’s love and mercy. May it encourage us to “walk with one” who needs guidance, comfort, friendship, and support.
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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
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Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.
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