Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Reflection for Sunday December 2, First Sunday of Advent: Luke 21:25-28, 34-36


Gospel: Luke 21:25-28, 34-36
Jesus said to his disciples: “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.

“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”
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Reflection:
A story is told about a man who was diagnosed with cancer sensing that the end of his earthly journey is about come to an end. He went to a priest and asked him to be administered the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.  The man in the throes of death was able to properly prepare himself for the coming of his own end times experience in this world.

Today is the first Sunday of advent. What is the meaning of advent? In the Christian faith advent means coming, someone very important is about to come into our life. Of course, we all know who is this very important that is about to come, He is no other than Jesus our savior.  

Outside of the Christian faith advent could also means coming, coming of what? Coming of a turbulent episode in our lives which could be sickness as we have in our story. It could also means coming of a problem which we create for ourselves.

Nevertheless, let us not allow ourselves to get distracted by all of these tragic human events that could come to us. This is for the reason that the center of advent is about Jesus’ coming into our lives. The savior will come to save us from anything that troubles us. 

In the first part of the gospel Jesus tells us this: There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken (Luke 21:25-26).

Of course, we only have two choices on how we would meet this seemingly calamitous end. First is to be afraid; who would not be afraid when the earth is crumbling before us? The second one is to be calm, be hopeful and not to be afraid because there’s a God who is in charge of everything.

In the midst of life’s uncertainties let us still be full of hope and positivity because our savior will come to save us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

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