God's Will

Forth Sunday of Advent

Readings
MI 5:1-4A
PS 80:2-19
HEB 10:5-10
LK 1:39-45

In few days, we will hear that Jesus, whom the second coming now we expect, was born in Bethlehem. It was God’s will that He was born in the same town as the king David. God announced Jesus’ birthplace through the Prophet Micah in today’s first reading, “You, Bethlehem-Ephrathah too small to be among clans of Judah, from you shall come forth one who is to be ruler in Israel. His greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth; he shall be peace.” It seemed that it was impossible that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem because Mary, His mother, lived far away from Bethlehem, in Nazareth and she had no reason to go to Bethlehem. God arranged the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem by a decree of Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. So Mary went to Bethlehem where she gave birth to Jesus.

In the second reading, the writer of the Letter to the Hebrews points on Christ who is to come to fulfill God’s will, “He said: ‘Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but body you prepared for me.’ Then I said: ‘I come to do your will, O God.’”

The Gospel offers us to meditate on the meeting of two pregnant women. It was God’s will that the infant leaped into Elizabeth’s womb when she heard Mary’s greeting. This was foretold by Archangel Gabriel to Zechariah, the father of Elizabeth’s infant.



Today’s readings show us God’s plan and His arrangement for the new beginning. Every day God gives us the opportunity to start anew. Maybe we already gave up and do not expect any longer any change in our everyday life. Maybe all circumstances show that life’s situation is impossible to turn for the better. Maybe we have asked God for a favor for a long time, and nothing happened. Maybe … Now, stop for a while and try to look for God’s will for you. Jesus came to do God’s will. As His followers, we should do the same. Start your day with the question, “God, what is Your will for me, today?” You will see, after some days, God will give you a new life. '
 

Third Sunday of Advent

Readings
ZEP 3:14-18A
IS 12:2-6
PHIL 4:4-7
LK 3:10-18

The third Sunday of Advent is called “Gaudete”- “Rejoice”. The Prophet Zephaniah in the first reading of today encourages us, “shout for joy…, sing joyfully…, be glad and exult with all your heart!” Why should we show such great emotion of happiness? We still feel loneliness, misunderstanding, anger or even hatred of others. We still experience our own failures, mistakes, weakness, etc. We still struggle with … and there is no happiness.



Do not be discouraged and listen to the words of the Prophet Zephaniah, who continues, “Fear not…, do not be discouraged! The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior. He will rejoice over you with gladness and renew you in his love.” The Prophet Isaiah also cries out with joy and gladness in today’s psalm, “Shout with exultation, for in your midst is the Holy One! He is my strength and my courage and he has been my savior. Give thanks to the Lord.” God, the Love is in our midst. Come closer to Him and feel His warmness. If you do not feel His presence, rejoice again and again, because the Lord is near, as St. Paul tells us in the second reading. He continues, “Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.” Do not expect that all evil deeds will disappear at once, but it could change your view of understanding and expectation through prayers and the works of mercy, so your heart and mind shout with joy.

In today’s Gospel, people questioned John the Baptist of what they should do in order to welcome the Christ. John the Baptist humbly answered, “I am not worthy… The Mighty One is coming. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Now, in a special time of expectation, let us allow Christ to shine on us His light, His understanding, encouragement, strength, and His love. “Sing praise to the Lord for his glorious achievement; let this be known throughout all the earth.”

A joyous giver is blessed twice, so let us cry out with joy this week in every prayer, thought or deed, we may even feel pain or sorrow, because Jesus, who is in our midst, will multiply our joy and will reward our deeds abundantly.

 Second Sunday of Advent

Readings
BAR 5:1-9
PS 126:1-6
PHIL 1:4-6, 8-11
LK 3:1-6

The readings of the Second Sunday of Advent encourage us to be joyful. Prophet Baruch asks us, “take off your robe of mourning and misery and put on the splendor of glory from God forever.”

                               

Certainly, there are many things that trouble you, i.e. sickness of yourself or your relatives, misunderstanding in the family, financial difficulties, problems with children or in the work, etc. The cloud of difficulties is many times so heavy and dark. How can we see the splendor of God’s glory behind all these difficulties?

Do not be troubled. Raise your head and listen to the words of the Prophet Baruch, who continues, “your children led away on foot by their enemies, have left you, but God will bring them back to you. For God is leading Israel in joy by the light of his glory, with his mercy and justice.” Do not mourn but trust in God. He knows your problems. Look back, remember the good things, and say with the psalmist, “The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy. Although they go forth weeping, they shall come back rejoicing.” A day of rejoicing is coming. It is a Christmas Day, when Jesus is coming as a little Baby, yet in the splendor of God’s glory.

Therefore, let us prepare ourselves for His coming. St. Luke writes that St. John the Baptist saw the way, how to prepare for the coming of the Lord, by proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins according the Prophet Isaiah. With strong voice, he was crying in the desert, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths, and you will see the salvation of God.” Look in your heart and make smooth what is rough in your relationship with others. Be upright in your speech to God and to others. Fill the valley of division with understanding and love. Even St. Paul in the Letter to Philippians confesses that he pray for all of us with joy that our love may increase more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is valuable. Thus we shall be filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

This week, let us try to do everything with joy for the glory and praise of God and the salvation of our neighbors.

First Sunday of Advent

Readings
JER 33:14-16
PS 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14 
1 THES 3:12-4:2
LK 21:25-28, 34-36

At the beginning of the new liturgical year we hear the encouraging words of the Prophet Jeremiah, “In those days, they shall be safe and dwell secure” (Cf. Jeremiah 33:15). Can we imagine that “those days” are “these days” the days of peace and security, which just have begun? Can we believe or hope for peace and security today, in the middle of violence, hatred, insecurity, natural disasters, etc.? It seems to be a time about which Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel, “People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heaven will be shaken” (Lk 21:26).

1. Yes, we can and even must believe and hope for it, because Jesus encourages us, “stand erect and rise your heads because your redemption is at hand” (Lk 21:28). These discouraging happenings, which we see and experience, are the signs of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Redeemer.

2. Yes, because the new liturgical year brings us new beginnings. We can leave everything that is wrong behind us and start anew. St. Paul tells us what to do, “increase and abound in love for one another and for all, strengthen your hearts, and be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones” (Thes 3:12-13). So, Jesus also asks us, “Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent” (Lk 21:36).

3. Yes, because on Christmas Day we will celebrate Jesus’ coming to us. He is Love sent to us by our God the Father. Now is the time to prepare our hearts that Jesus - Love may dwell in us and among us.

4. Yes, because even the Blessed and Saints are example for us. For a good preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ Blessed Alphonse Marie encourages us, “We never struggle alone. Jesus helps us. If we love Him, all sufferings become pleasant and bearable for us. May the thought of heaven give you courage. Consider that the saints became holy only through struggles and suffering.”

Have a blessed preparation for Christmas.