2020 is a year we would like to forget. We have lost loved ones; we have been sick; we have been restricted; our plans have been curtailed; many things dishearten us; we have been told what to do or what not to do (and the way we value our autonomy) – we have been beaten and put down. The pandemic has disorganized life as we know it and we wonder ‘is life going to be the same again?’
The year is not over yet and all we hear is ‘the next few months of next year will be worse still.’ Is there hope? Are we going to make it? Who is going to help us?
As the year ends, and as we look forward to Christmas, we continue in this very important time in the Church calendar – and in fact in our faith – Advent Season! It is a Season of hope, where we are called upon to look beyond the calamities and the turbulences of our present life in order to behold the inbreaking of God’s presence as he comes to be with us. Our physical eyes may be seeing darkness and chaos; Advent invites to attune our spiritual eyes to see as God sees – calm after the storm, dawn after a dark night. Our physical ears are hearing devastations and callousness; Advent invites us to open the ears of our hearts where God whispers his assurances and eternal promises – where God talks the language of love of him and of others.
A cloud of uncertainties, confusion (and in fact of Covid-19) may still be hanging low as the year 2020 ends and 2021 begins, with no signs of ‘normalcy’ on the horizons. However, we can count on the promise of God to help us. God says to us: “I am the LORD, your God, who grasp your right hand; It is I who say to you, “Fear not, I will help you” (Isaiah 41:13). Remember, God is faithful in his promises!
2020 may have been a year like no other – with all its twists and turns, sighs and sobs; but God has not forsaken us. God’s love for us is unchanging! God has brought us this far not to abandon us in our time of great need, but to renew our strength so that we can soar higher and higher to where we can find rest for our troubled hearts. He holds the whole world in his hand – he comes to save us. Therefore, watch! Wait! Trust! “It is the Lord who goes before you; and he will be with you and will never fail you or forsake you. So do not fear or be dismayed” (Deuteronomy 31:8).
Hence, we wait! We wait in hope and great yearning for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ on Christmas; we wait for his Second Coming in glory; we wait in prayer, penance, and hope for the One who brings meaning to our lives, Jesus, who heals and restores – God with Us. His coming makes all things new!
It is my prayer for all of us to continue to hang on to hope; standing strong in faith; trusting in God – sharing his love. For sure, God is aware of our plights and he comes to save us!
Perhaps you are struck down – but do not let today’s experiences put you out. Our Savior, our help, will come; he will not delay! Amen.