Advent 2010: Are You Ready?

It’s the first Sunday of Advent, a season where we prepare and wait for the nativity of Christ and His second coming. The readings especially the Gospel are about Eschatology --- “a belief concerning death, the end of the world, or the ultimate destiny of humankind; specifically: any of various Christian doctrines concerning the Second Coming, the resurrection of the dead, or the Last Judgment.”

As the world endures war, poverty, social injustice, calamities from earthquake, flood, famine or drought of great magnitude, lawlessness, greed and other social evils; the signs of the end times from the Scriptures ring the bell. In Mark 13:8 we read, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes from place to place and there will be famines. . .”

I am not saying that the end of the world is soon to take place for not even Jesus knows the time but only the Father (cf: Mt. 24:36) Instead, I am just reminding everybody, me included, to “Repent and believe the gospel.” (cf: Mk. 1:15) for in there are the words of eternal life. (cf: Jn 6:68)

Fr. Bel San Luis, SVD observes that:

“For many of us, Advent refers to the coming of Sta. Claus, Christmas bonuses, sumptuous parties, and gift-giving. But Advent reminds us, too, of the Lord’s coming at the end of the world or Christ’s Second Coming, or our end in death. Are you prepared for His coming, especially of the latter?”

Not all of us can answer that wisely as long as we are occupied focusing the material side of life. As a good start, the commercialization of Christmas must be stopped and its intended meaning should be spread.

May this Advent truly prepare us to wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

May all of us encounter Jesus this Christmas and experience His touch! -30-

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Photo Credit:

http://www.faithclipart.com/category/advent-clipart.html