Nov.29, ’15 Sunday homily-Fr.Francis
Chirackal CMI
Jer 33:14-16, 1Thes 3:12-4:2, Lk 21:25-28,
34-36.
For Readings
69 days prior to October 13th
, 2010 drew special attention as memories are still alive in our
mind. People of the whole world looked forward with great curiosity and
expectation and prayer, focusing their attention at a Chile’s 33 trapped
minors. They were rescued on 69th day of their ordeal deep underground.
All welcomed them with great joy and jubilation. We read the reported news that
Gomez, who has worked as miner for 50 years, was helped out of the escape
capsule, and immediately dropped to his knees to pray. "I never lost faith
that they would find us," he said.
Esteban Rojas also knelt and
prayed on arrival. The 44-year-old had promised to wed his wife formally in
church if he got out alive, to seal their civil marriage. On Oct.12th
posted a comment saying, “The global heart is ticking and waiting for you all,
guys!! Welcome back to the light!”
Thousands of years ago the human
race found itself in a similar situation. Sin had entered the world. The human
race was trapped in darkness. There was no way it could save itself. In the
case of Chile miners, the government saw the tragic situation and wanted to
save them. Two thousand years ago, God the Father wanted to save the human race
and restore to His Life. Chile government sent a rescue capsule to save the
trapped 33 miners while God the Father sent His own Son to save the whole human
race as nothing less than Him could do that job.
Advent is the season when we
call to mind the terrible situation that the world was in before Jesus came.
The readings selected for today, and the following three Sundays, are chosen to
help us prepare for this, the greatest event that ever happened on our planet
as Son of God took our human nature and ‘dwelt among us’ on earth, in order to
bring us to heaven. The whole of the Old Testament describes God’s long
preparation for this act of divine love and mercy.
Advent is also the period when we call to mind that Jesus will come
again and we need to submit our account of life before Him. The words of
St.Paul are the words that each one of us should apply to ourselves today. He
reminds us to keep our hearts holy with an ever increasing love. All are
destined by god for eternal life, but to attain it each one of us must follow
the path laid down by god. He tells us some of the things we must avoid and
some of the things we must do, if we want to reach the eternal happiness.
In the gospel Jesus speaks of
His second coming, and emphasizes its cosmic signs and frightening
tribulations. It tells that a Christian is to be always hopeful and assured of
the final redemption, even amidst hard tribulations. During this holy season of
Advent we are being called on and exhorted to prepare ourselves to commemorate
worthily the first coming of Jesus as our Brother and Savior, while focusing
our attention on final victory and eternal glory. Each year, Christmas should
be a mile-stone on the road to heaven for every true Christian. It invites us
to live for Christ focusing our attention on eternal life. We need to complete
the work Jesus gave us to do. We are to use the work-bench Jesus built for us
to complete God’s Kingdom on earth. We are to help the needy, feed the hungry,
clothe the naked, work for peace and love one another as Jesus loved us.
Advent is a time when we check
to see how well we, personally, are doing this. This is what our annual feast
of Christmas commemorates. Let us pray for grace and do our part with most care
and attention to secure our eternal life especially during this Advent season.
Let us make this period of Advent a season of God’s grace for ourselves, our
family and community. Let us prepare a manger for Jesus in our hearts. God
bless you.
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