Ur Sunday Dose: Mightier than I

Dec. 05, 2010

Second Sunday of Advent
Is 11,1-10 || Rom 15,4-9
Mt 3,1-12

MIGHTIER THAN I

Days before I lost my cellphone, I had a text message conversation with a friend. I asked her, Fhudge, ano ang ine-expect mo sa Pasko? She told me, Sana, magkaroon na ako ng bagong magmamahal sa akin.

I was surprised with her reply so I texted back, Sigurado ka? Yun lang ang hinihintay mo sa Pasko? She replied, Siyempre, sana magkasama-sama na ang pamilya ko. I texted back, Ay, tama nga talaga! Nalimutan na talaga ng karamihan ang tunay na dahilan ng Pasko.

Yes, this is the reality of our days. we anticipate Christmas, not because we remember the Birth of our Lord in Bethlehem, but because of the material and commercial worth that it gives us. From the Aguinaldo, to the Festive Noche Buena.

We now have the image of John the Baptist. He begins his baptizing ministry in this Sunday's Gospel Passage, as he preaches throughout the Jordan River, calling the people to conversion and to wait on somebody who is to come. He knows he is not the Messiah, but he comes before him. He invites the people to repent as early as now, and to prepare the way of the Lord, and make straight his paths.

I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

When we take these words of John, it means that there is a reason for waiting. And that is a person, not a thing, like we usually expect. We see, guys, Christmas is far beyond those gifts or the food, or the socialization that we usually do during the holidays. Christmas is about Jesus Christ. It is about his Incarnation, his coming as man. it is about his dwelling in us.

That is what is Advent all about. We are not to wait for anything that has nothing to do with Christ. We are here to expect, to prepare for our Lord's coming. Christmas is Christ, Mightier and Stronger than our any problems in life.

As we light the Candle of Peace on the Second Sunday of Advent, we ask ourselves, How do we find our expectation in Christ: as a point of peace in our hearts, or as a haggard time to give out gifts to others without preparing ourselves and our souls?

It is never too late to change our ways. That's why Advent is here to prepare us in the right manner. Let us take advantage of this season to rightfully prepare ourselves. Let us listen to John's Voice. Let us prepare the Way of the Lord, for he is Mightier than all of us, and only he can lead us to the Father, just as he did on that night in Bethlehem, and on that lonely afternoon at Golgotha.

AND SO WE PRAY...

Jesus, our Lord and God! You are the humble King who is to come to deliver us from our frailties and many sins. Your reign is one which provokes peace in our hearts, in our families, in our communities. You are Mightier than anyone of us. You are stronger than any problem which we could conceive or even imagine.

Help us, Lord Jesus! Grant that we may truly prepare the way for your coming. May we straighten up our crooked ways, and may we open ourselves to you this Christmas as the real reason for the celebration.

Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus! Amen.
Mary, our Queen and Mother, pray for us!

BïTZëëlöG_120310 :)