The Spirituality Of Advent In Our Lives

December 15, 2024

Readings: Zephaniah 3:14-20
Philippians 4: 4-9
Luke 3: 7-18

3rd Sunday of Advent 2024 – Bp. Rolando Geronimo

Sunrise and sunset, we know that song. When there is an ending. there’s always a new beginning. Every new day should be like a preview of the new world that is to come – when all illnesses, all sufferings shall have ceased. There is life after this life. There should be progress after each new week. The Fiscal Year may not have ended yet, but in the Christian Year, we end with Christ the King and we are being shaped into the season of Advent in preparation for the Lord’s coming.

During the time of Israel, there was also political instability. After the glorious period of Solomon, Israel became divided. First they were overrun by the Assyrians in the north, then the Babylonians in the south. This can be likened to the illustration of a bottle of wine. which when broken, is shattered into pieces. While a small piece can still contain some part, it cannot be compared to a whole, unbroken bottle that can contain its fullness. Why is there darkness in the world? Because the light is hidden. Isaiah at this time became the voice of conscience. The Book of Isaiah is divided into three parts:

1. Chapters 1-39 God wants to speak to His people. He wants them to become co-laborers. But they did not fulfill their tasks and instead of being co-laborers, they were brought into exile.
2. Chapters 40-55 An exhortation that God is almighty and can bring about restoration.
3. The last part, Chapters 56-66 deals with the Restoration of the Church, repentance and returning to faithfulness.
In Revelation it speaks of the two witnesses, the church and the work of God, who died but were resurrected. This clearly means that the church will triumph, no matter what happens.

Between the first Advent and the second Advent, we need to be aware of who we are. John the Baptist in the Gospel today also reminds the people of what they should be doing. He talked about social justice, of the necessity to reach out to the poor and help those in need. If the church does not pray, then who will? We should pray at the beginning of the day and at the end of the day. How do we pray at the beginning of a day? We must pray that the Holy Spirit continues to work in our lives so that we can be like Christ each day. There is a need to know what God is telling us. There are three types of Prayer:

Vocal- memorized prayer
Meditative- claiming the Scripture promises
Contemplative- saturating ourselves and letting ourselves be guided by the Word of God.

Advent is a celebration of Christ’s victory. We are allowing the Spirituality of Advent to come into our lives. If no one is praying for the world, if no one is praying for our government leaders, then who will? Malachi 1:11 “For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts.”

We need to take it upon ourselves to be responsible in praying for forgiveness, in praying for the world, for salvation. And may God’s victory be seen in our lives as we are transformed each day into His image and likeness.