Is JESUS CHRIST Present in Our Lives?

Weekly Missionary Reflection
Sunday, 10 December 2023
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Isa. 40:1-5,9-11; Ps. 85:9ab-10,11-12,13-14; 2Pet. 3:8-14; Mark 1:1-8

During the Advent, the Church always invites us to reflect on the “coming of Jesus Christ” and how we prepare ourselves to welcome Him. The mystery of incarnation, God is made flesh, is an extraordinary mystery for our reflection. The Prophet Isaiah in the first reading describes how God will come and shepherd His people and that someone will prepare the way of His coming. “Here comes with power the Lord God, who rules by his strong arm; Here is his reward with him, his recompense before him.” (Isa. 40:10).

Today’s Gospel reading which was written by Mark the Evangelist more than 700 years after the Prophet Isaiah, requotes the prophecy. But here he is talking about John the Baptist. “John the Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”  At his time, John the Baptist was a famous man. People admired his teachings and he had a lot of followers. Yet he remained focused on his role to prepare for the coming of the Saviour.

Dear brothers and sisters, let us believe that God has come into this world and does want to dwell in us. However, only a few people realize this and are still waiting for Him. Having been baptized, we should believe that the Holy Spirit has been poured onto us. Are we able to feel the coming of Jesus in our lives? Or our heart is still filled with fear, doubt, and anxiety, that we can not feel the presence and love of Jesus?

God is love and love is freeing. Despite God is present in our lives, we will always have the freedom to choose. Do we choose to ignore Him and consider Advent as part of a religious ritual, or do we choose to follow Him by preparing our hearts to realize His coming? God the Son was born into the world as Jesus Christ 2000 years ago and now He is alive among us. Therefore let us humbly ask the Holy Spirit to enable us to prepare ourselves and realize God’s presence in our lives. God bless.

(Br. Kornelius Glossanto, SX – Xaverian Missionary)

DAILY DEDICATED PRAYER

Lord, our Father, I present my today prayer, thought, word, work, joy, and sorrow in unity with Your Son, Jesus Christ, who always presents Himself in the Eucharist for the salvation of the world. May the Holy Spirit animating Jesus, also be my guidance and strength today so that I am ready to be the witness of Your love.

Together with St. Mary, Mother of Jesus, and the Church, in particular, I present my prayer for our Pope and apostle prayer of the Indonesian Church of this month:

For persons with disabilities
We pray that people living with disabilities may be at the center of attention in society and that institutions may offer inclusive programs that value their active participation.

Climate change
We pray to have a grateful heart that God is willing to be a human living in this world and with this gratitude, we are encouraged to individually or collectively overcome the problem of climate change and environmental damage that is threatening this earth.

Amen.