Saying YES to Advent
The opening line of the First Reading from Isaiah on the Second Sunday of Advent is very moving: "Comfort, give comfort to MY people, says your God." These are heartwarming words that accompany us. Comfort. Comfort, words that support and encourage us as we navigate through life embracing all that life has to offer.
Every One Has Needs
There are days when all of us can use a little comfort and encouragement. There are times when we all need human closeness, protection and security. If every person looks out for those who are in need, those who are struggling, who need comfort and encouragement, then that person becomes both a provider of comfort and one who receives comfort. When this happens, a community of people emerges. A network of those who desire to share life and experiences who want to get to know each other, people who care and are not indifferent to each other’s needs.
Our Relationship With God
In this time of Advent, we are called to focus on our relationships – with God, with ourselves, with others. When we join together, supporting and encouraging one another then our own surroundings, our own environment begins to change. Because, you see it is through our gestures of love that we can build bridges. These gestures of humanity, our way of viewing others, the way we greet them, our actions, our deeds and our words shine and radiate they effervesce during times of hopelessness and comfortlessness. New things begin to emerge, to thrive and bear fruit. Just as a small burning candle takes darkness away from darkness, comforting gestures in times of sorrow and fear can take away the feelings of hopelessness. A tiny flame can provide brightness and a way through the dark, giving warmth and security, joy and a direction.
Signs of Christmas
The visible signs of Christmas have been all around us for several weeks. But it is not the sea of lights, the decorations or the scents that lead us toward Christmas. The motto seems to be “Christmas YES, but Advent NO.” Christmas, without the waiting, the anticipation, without the inner journey to the one, true light of the world, to the first and the greatest source of comfort and encouragement. To OUR God, who wants to carry our lives during times of joy and sorrow.
HE has promised us a Redeemer, a Savior who can fulfill our longing for a life of fulfillment. In a world where it seems that, only the best is good enough, God Himself fulfills this promise. HE Himself comes to us in Jesus Christ. HE wants to meet us. In the center of our hearts, in the simplicity of our lives. It is in the desert where we encounter HIM, and it is where he wants to be received. In the metaphoric desert we can experience ourselves, prepare ourselves to encounter the Divine. In a place of silence, in reflection, in times of doubt and turmoil
Comfort, Comfort
Enduring one’s own desert is not easy. Let’s face it, maybe it is why we seem to always be so busy, so hectic. It can be a way to avoid one’s own desert. I hear the words of Isaiah calling: “Comfort. Comfort.” In other words, “have courage, trust, do not be afraid.” Rejoice all the more, because with God on our side, new things can happen, “every valley shall be lifted up, every mountain and hill made low: the rugged land shall be a plain, the rough country, a broad valley.” Dear brothers and sisters, it is then that the beauty and glory of God become visible, and tangible among us. When the Kingdom of God grows, we become the community, the family of God. We are no longer our own people but HIS PEOPLE, who become HIS messengers of hope and joy.
John the Messanger
John the Baptist points to the ONE who wants to shape our world with the fire of the Holy Spirit – with us, alongside us, as friends, as HIS beloved children. John’s message was of God’s desire for repentance, to turn away from sinful behavior. God does not seek the death or punishment of sinners. His desire is that we turn to Him - He wants to help us lead a fulfilled, joyful and happy life. It is in the innermost core of our being that we await a new heaven and a new earth.
The Doves of Peace
During the time of Covid, over one hundred hands from our Parish folded doves as a sign for each person in Switzerland who had died from Covid. They hung here in our Church from the ceiling down the main aisle. With the outbreak of war in Ukraine, blue and yellow doves were added as a sign of solidarity. After a year-long absence, the remaining doves have returned and now hang to the left and above the statue of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. Symbols of suffering and death were transformed into signs of peace coming down from above. They are a powerful message of the power of God who desires to bring peace into our world. Comfort and consolation. We need to seek this peace. Not for our own desires, but for the desires of all mankind. And we can find it. It is there. There, in this powerful message from God, cascading from above where you will find among the precious gold doves small crystals of light which twinkle and sparkle, radiating the beauty of God, the beauty that we can find, in each other, within ourselves.
Living the Advent Message
Let this image of peace and radiating beauty be one of hope and of confidence. A vision for the future – for all who are sad and weary. This is a wonderful invitation to set out on a journey, to look for the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. We may raise our voices and say: Behold, this is OUR God. HE walks with us on our journey. HE accompanies and supports us in all our joy and all our hardships. HE keeps His promise.
Praise be to Jesus Christ – now and forever- Immanuel. Amen.