Trust His mercy, and live in His love
Reflections on the readings for the Second Sunday of Advent (December 6, 2020): IS 40:1-5,9-11; PS 35:9-12,13-14; 2 PT 3:8-14; MK 1:1-8
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days
This message was heralded by St. John the Baptist. We also listen to passages that point us forward to the Second Coming of Christ, or parousia, at the end of the world, as we know it.
During the days of Advent, we hear Scripture that guides us to the birth of Jesus our Savior, as well as His ministry of mercy and sacrifice. This message was heralded by St. John the Baptist. We also listen to passages that point us forward to the Second Coming of Christ, or parousia, at the end of the world, as we know it. While we are eager to think about Jesus’ nativity as we get ready for Christmas, and recognize the incomparable gift of His life that He would lay down for us, we barely consider His Second Coming. But many early Christians believed that Jesus would return soon, possibly in their own lifetime. The letter from Peter tries to calm and encourage those who are distressed by waiting. He tells them that they do not see things the way God does. “Do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day. The Lord does not delay His promise, as some regard ‘delay,’ but He is patient with you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:8-9). Because God loves everyone, He wants us to have every chance possible to be the sort of people we ought to be, conducting ourselves in holiness and devotion.
As we go about our day-to-day activities in a time when actions and events may be vastly different from our usual way of life, we need to stay focused on what – and Who – matters most. And that must be Jesus Christ Himself. And through Him, we need to cherish relationships with others, starting with our loved ones. Perhaps because much of what we do, who we can – or cannot – spend time with, and when we will regain a sense of normalcy, are in doubt, we need to keep faith in our Redeemer. Whatever is happening to us, our loved ones, and our neighbors near and far, we need to trust His mercy and live in His love. We cannot know what will happen tomorrow. But we can be sure God is with us. Always. Even to the end of the world.
Suggested missionary action: Let us do what Christ’s asks us. That includes praying, doing good, forgiving those who hurt us, building up God’s kingdom. We can start by regularly saying the Our Father and taking some extra time to read the Bible.
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