First Sunday of Advent (A)

First Sunday of Advent (A)

First Reading: Isaiah 2:1-5

Responsorial Psalm: Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Second Reading: Romans 13:11-14

Gospel: Matthew 24:37-44

ARE YOU READY TO MEET HIM?

On November 8, 2013 – Friday, the typhoon Yolanda (International name Haiyan) entered the Philippine area of responsibility. Our country was face to face with the strongest typhoon ever in recorded world history.  When I last checked out the death toll, it already reached 5, 235; the injured: 23, 404; and the missing: 1,611. As of Friday, November 22, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) pegged the damage by Yolanda at 22, 470, 563, 943.76. Also, 536,680 houses were destroyed while 549,647 were damaged.

Above all, we also witness how the whole world responded to our people’s need for food, shelter, clothing and other basic needs in order to survive after the horrible disaster that affected much of the Visayan region. We witness how many nations came to our aid to help alleviate our suffering and to bury our dead. We witness one of the worst tragedies that struck our nation, the Philippines.

Our gospel perfectly fits  our context as we enter into the first Sunday of Advent. Advent comes from the Latin word “adventus” which means “coming.” For us, it is an anticipation to share in the ancient longing for the coming of the Messiah and to prepare for his second coming.

Our gospel today stands as a warning to those who neglected the Lord and at the same time a reminder to us all that the end is coming and we better be ready.

Jesus Mentions Yesterday Versus Today.

Jesus speaks of the end times like the days of Noah. In Genesis 6:5-6, it vividly mentioned that “The Lord saw that the wickedness of humankind was great in the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually.  And the Lord was sorry that he had made humankind on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.” (Tagalog: At nakita ng Panginoon na mabigat ang kasamaan ng tao sa lupa, at ang buong haka ng mga pagiisip ng kaniyang puso ay pawang masama lamang na parati. At nagsisi ang Panginoon na kaniyang nilalang ang tao sa lupa, at nalumbay sa kaniyang puso.; Visayan: Ug nakita sa Ginoo ang pagkadautan sa tawo sayuta dako, ug nga ang tanang pagpalandong sa mga hunahuna sa iyang kasingkasing lunlon mga kadautan lamang gihapon. Kini nakapabasul sa Ginoo nga gibuhat niya ang tawo sa yuta, ug nakapasubo kini kaniya sa iyang kasingkasing.)

The word grieved/nalumbay/nakapasubo is a “love word.” Brothers and sisters, we do not grieve for those we don’t care or love. God wanted a love relationship because He God loved his creation so much!, However, the people had no desire in their heart to befriend God and so, it broke His heart. Sa kasaysayan ng Bibliya, si Lord ang pinakaunang nabasted!

Today is a reflection of what happened during the time of Noah:

1. According to American Chronicle on May 2009, the Philippines ranked 9th in the worldwide porn revenue when it raked 1 billion dollars! Meaning 2,739,726.03 dollars everyday; 114,155 dollars every hour; 1,902 dollars every minute; if we convert that to peso – that is a whooping 81,811 pesos every minute! After this mass, a revenue of 4,908,665 pesos have been earned by Philippine porn industry. Could you imagine that?

2. According to World Health Organization, estimated that despite legal restrictions, the cases of abortion performed in 2005 was 80,000 and rising. if you divide that with 365 days, that means there are 219.17 cases of abortions each day; more or less 9 cases every hour! Shocking!  Imagine from the beginning of our masses until we end it, 9 babies have been aborted. Could you imagine that?

3. According to Nancy Carbajal of the Philippine Daily Inquirer on August 19, it is estimated that the Philippine government was defrauded of some 10 billion in the course of PDAF scam, having been diverted to Napoles, participating members of congress and other government officials – where always 70% of Filipinos still live below poverty line.

4. Plus, plus, the many cases of human trafficking, drug abuse, alcoholism, murder, rape, theft and other crimes that destroy the live of many every day.

Is this scenario not a reflection of Noah’s time? 

Truly, there is great wickedness in the land!

Just like the time of Noah, people lived in complacency. They went out doing the things they regularly do. They ate, drank and went into all kinds of merry-making. They ignored all signs – until it was over.

Gosh, this kind of attitude is not far from the attitude we have today. People today work too hard, earn too much, but pray very seldom. We know Christ and know hell, but do not see enough reason to amend our ways and believe in the gospel.

This is indeed an age of spiritual complacency and moral indifference.

Jesus Mentions About Physical Preparation Versus Spiritual Preparation

Jesus warned that we must “stay awake!” for we do not know the exact time of the Lord’s coming. While we prepare for ways that will make us financially stable tomorrow, should we not also prepare spiritually  for the Great Tomorrow?

When He mentioned about the “coming”, he doesn’t mean tragedies like typhoons, earthquakes and the like. He means Second Coming – the end of time when He will  come in glory to rule and govern the earth with His power. Those who lived lives for the Lord shall live with him forever, but those who lived lives in complacency shall have a Christless eternity. No more hopes, no more chances.

Thus, the best way to prepare is today.  “So you too must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

Bernadette Tenegra, a mother, could not forget the last words of her youngest daughter, during the typhoon Yolanda. They were swimming for their lives as the water rose with astonishing speed. They scrambled for safety, but her youngest daughter was spun around by the current along with the deadly debris. Her body was pierced by wooden splinters. While Bernadette was telling her to hold on, her lovely young daughter  told her, “Mama, just let go, save yourself.” Bernadette was saved.

The young child was prepared to meet His maker.

The Lord will come. Are you prepared to meet Him?