YEAR C: HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE 1ST WEEK OF ADVENT (2)
Angels from the realms of glory, Wing your flight o'er all the earth; Ye who sang creation's story, Now proclaim Messiah's birth: Come and worship, Come and worship, Worship Christ, the newborn King! Shepherds, in the fields abiding, Watching o'er your flocks by night, God with man is now residing, Yonder shines the infant Light; Come and worship, Come and worship, Worship Christ, the newborn King! Sages, leave your contemplations, Brighter visions beam afar; Seek the great desire of nations, Ye have seen His natal star; Come and worship, Come and worship, Worship Christ, the newborn King! Saints before the altar bending, Watching long in hope and fear, Suddenly the Lord, descending, In His temple shall appear: Come and worship, Come and worship, Worship Christ, the newborn King!
YEAR C: HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE 1ST WEEK OF ADVENT
HOMILY THEME: THE PRIVILEGE OF MEETING THE MESSIAH
BY: Fr. Benny Tuazon
(Lk. 10:21-24) Tuesday of the First Week of Advent
In today’s Gospel, Jesus makes known to the apostles their great privilege of meeting and experiencing the Lord Jesus. Indeed, many in earlier times had hoped that they would see the coming of the Messiah. Yet, they died hoping and anticipating His coming.
The Messiah came during the time of the apostles. It was an opportune time for them. Yet, the apostles seem not to appreciate the moment. If only they could realise the full import of their experience, they would have served and savoured more that moment.
The pope’s visit has a similar lesson. Many realise the significance of the pope’s visit. Many are trying to get opportunities to meet the pope. Even priests and religious are finding ways to even have a chance to have a glimpse of the pope. But there are still some who do not see the pope’s visit the way many do. For some, it is not an important occasion. They do not recognise in the pope the representative presence of the Lord.
But do we really have to meet the Lord in the same way the apostles met Him to believe? In the same breath, do we really need to meet the pope in order to feel God’s presence? Remember Thomas? Jesus accommodated His request for proof. Then he believed. Jesus took the opportunity to tell everyone that those who believed without seeing are more blessed. For in faith, to believe is to see and not vice versa.
