Second Sunday of Advent
08 December 2019
08 December 2019
| Second reading Romans 15:4-9 |
|---|
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God so that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and so that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will confess you among the Gentiles, and sing praises to your name.”
Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God so that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and so that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will confess you among the Gentiles, and sing praises to your name.”
In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'”
Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. “I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. “I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
By Theresa Ballo
It’s common for people to judge the sins of others while excusing their own “minor flaws.” At some point in our lives, we all do this. It’s a normal defense mechanism, wherein we improve our own self-esteem by magnifying the mistakes of others while at the same time minimizing and excusing our own. Sometimes we denounce “wordly” sins while excusing our own more “acceptable” sins of pride, selfishness or lack of love.
If we are doing this to people in our circle, what better judgment can we give to persons in conflict with the law? What would be your initial feeling when you will be surrounded by men who are sentenced to prison for twenty years and more? Would it be easier to condemn them because of the crimes they have committed?
Last November 29, together with our Grade 9 students, we had a service interaction at the Medium Security Compound of the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa. A month before this day, two of my colleagues and I went there for the ocular inspection. Initially, I was curious and excited in this experience. I have experienced visiting city jails but the main national prison is a first. We interacted with the Education Unit so basically all the inmates we met are all students also. I never felt that my safety was compromised inside. I met polite, talented and God-fearing men. I listened to some of their stories and how their experience inside the prison made them realize the value of their parents, the importance of education and the mercy and compassion of God. Those students/men believe that only by the grace of God they will be free from guilt for the crimes they committed and endure the miserable situation of Philippine prison as they serve their sentence.
Day after this service interaction is the recollection of our students. I facilitated one section for this whole day recollection. As we processed their experience in Bilibid, we also explore on their own sinfulness, bars, repentance and forgiveness. This was my second year of running this Christ Behind Bars module yet I could not help myself to shed a tear while the students are engaging a dialogue of expressing their own hurts, prejudices and offenses as well. Afterwards, comes healing and openness to forgive and acknowledge the presence of a loving Father that remains faithful to them.
As I lay myself to sleep that day, I think of my own sinfulness and surrender them to God and relentlessly ask Him for mercy and forgiveness. I pray for our society, that we become more accepting of individual differences and initiate restorative justice for people who are in conflict with the law. I recalled one of the hashtags given by a group of students, #DontStopBilibid (don’t stop, believe it) because they realized that their partner inmates are still hopeful of their future no matter how hazy it may appear now and with their renewed relationship with God, nothing is impossible. Indeed, Advent is a good time for each of us to examine our own conscience and ask ourselves, what troubles me? Which of my actions are hurtful, dishonest and demeaning to others? What can I do to restore my relationship with God and others?
PrayerIf we are doing this to people in our circle, what better judgment can we give to persons in conflict with the law? What would be your initial feeling when you will be surrounded by men who are sentenced to prison for twenty years and more? Would it be easier to condemn them because of the crimes they have committed?
Last November 29, together with our Grade 9 students, we had a service interaction at the Medium Security Compound of the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa. A month before this day, two of my colleagues and I went there for the ocular inspection. Initially, I was curious and excited in this experience. I have experienced visiting city jails but the main national prison is a first. We interacted with the Education Unit so basically all the inmates we met are all students also. I never felt that my safety was compromised inside. I met polite, talented and God-fearing men. I listened to some of their stories and how their experience inside the prison made them realize the value of their parents, the importance of education and the mercy and compassion of God. Those students/men believe that only by the grace of God they will be free from guilt for the crimes they committed and endure the miserable situation of Philippine prison as they serve their sentence.
Day after this service interaction is the recollection of our students. I facilitated one section for this whole day recollection. As we processed their experience in Bilibid, we also explore on their own sinfulness, bars, repentance and forgiveness. This was my second year of running this Christ Behind Bars module yet I could not help myself to shed a tear while the students are engaging a dialogue of expressing their own hurts, prejudices and offenses as well. Afterwards, comes healing and openness to forgive and acknowledge the presence of a loving Father that remains faithful to them.
As I lay myself to sleep that day, I think of my own sinfulness and surrender them to God and relentlessly ask Him for mercy and forgiveness. I pray for our society, that we become more accepting of individual differences and initiate restorative justice for people who are in conflict with the law. I recalled one of the hashtags given by a group of students, #DontStopBilibid (don’t stop, believe it) because they realized that their partner inmates are still hopeful of their future no matter how hazy it may appear now and with their renewed relationship with God, nothing is impossible. Indeed, Advent is a good time for each of us to examine our own conscience and ask ourselves, what troubles me? Which of my actions are hurtful, dishonest and demeaning to others? What can I do to restore my relationship with God and others?
Lord, help me to take time to acknowledge my own sinfulness daily. Grant me humility of heart and help me to be an instrument of repentance for others. May I always receive Your words in love and offer them in the form of love that is most effective. Amen.
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