2nd SUNDAY OF ADVENT, C
GOD WILL REMOVE THE
OBSTACLES
In the gospel, John the Baptist
was not merely talking about a promise, but a fulfillment. It is happening now! God is doing the impossible in order to
save his people and draw them closer to his heart. God will fix the obstacles, whatever they may be, so that
his will be manifest and his plan effective in our lives.
What greater obstacle to
salvation can we imagine than the divide between heaven and earth, between the
holy Lord and sinful humanity, between the perfect heaven and weak earth? The Lord overcame the obstacle by
sending his Only Son Jesus Christ to be our Savior. If God can accomplish this greatest act, what seemed to be
exaggerated claim, incredible promise, then God can do all things to bring us
closer to him.
As we travel through Advent and
move closer to Christmas, the Lord is asking us to look closely into our lives
and identify the obstacles to joy, the obstacles to peace, the obstacles to
celebration. What is it in you
that needs to be flattened, filled up or straightened? In our world today there are so many
things that create a wall that separates us from our dreams of finally living
the good life we want. There are
people and events that intensify the barriers to the real life God want us to
experience.
For some, the obstacle is in the
form of insurmountable problems that keep us awake at night. For others it is the pain of severed
relationships in the family or with someone we love so much. There are also concerns regarding
health, finances, reputation or the
many fears of past deeds that haunt us still.
John the Baptist comes to assure
us that God loves us so much, he will remove the obstacles in our lives. If we give God the chance… If we allow God to prove his power… If
we are willing to cooperate with his grace…
Do you believe that God can
remove the obstacles to your fuller, richer, healthier and holier life? If you do, then like John the Baptist,
like the prophet Baruch, your heartbeat will run faster and your eyes glow
brighter as the birth of Jesus comes closer. I believe in the God who removes obstacles in people’s
lives!
EXCURSUS: ON DUTERTE CURSING THE POPE
(some people ask why Catholics criticize this man’s action)
(Maybe its Duterte’s personal habit to curse. But this time cursing while offering yourself as a national presidential candidate is different. He will definitely be noticed because he aspires to represent the country. If while yet a candidate you can get away with verbally maligning even an international religious and civil head who obviously has not done any filipino wrong, what will keep him from verbally or physically harming another person of less stature in the future. Remember that the pope restored hope in God in so many peoples hearts after yolanda. Why curse a person who came to bring help to the poor and suffering and joy to an entire nation? Its more double standard not to tell him he is wrong just because he is Duterte the habitual curser. Even if Mar Roxas or Grace Poe did that, he or she must be ready to face the reaction of people whose sensibilities he or she hurt. National leaders expose themselves to national scrutiny. He must learn that early in his presidential ambition. Another thing, if i hear him curse even just my father, I will surely not take that sitting down!)
EXCURSUS: ON DUTERTE CURSING THE POPE
(some people ask why Catholics criticize this man’s action)
(Maybe its Duterte’s personal habit to curse. But this time cursing while offering yourself as a national presidential candidate is different. He will definitely be noticed because he aspires to represent the country. If while yet a candidate you can get away with verbally maligning even an international religious and civil head who obviously has not done any filipino wrong, what will keep him from verbally or physically harming another person of less stature in the future. Remember that the pope restored hope in God in so many peoples hearts after yolanda. Why curse a person who came to bring help to the poor and suffering and joy to an entire nation? Its more double standard not to tell him he is wrong just because he is Duterte the habitual curser. Even if Mar Roxas or Grace Poe did that, he or she must be ready to face the reaction of people whose sensibilities he or she hurt. National leaders expose themselves to national scrutiny. He must learn that early in his presidential ambition. Another thing, if i hear him curse even just my father, I will surely not take that sitting down!)
