Hope comes by allowing God to transform us
It is Advent and we begin the new liturgical year with the spirit of hope. In today’s Gospel Jesus reminds us “Be on your guard, stay awake, because you never know when the time will come” (Mk 13:33). It is a warning to be alert and attentive spiritually. It is so easy to get caught up in our worldly cares and anxieties that we lose focus on Jesus; we need to beware of our little habits and ways that are leading us astray from Him.
When Catholics are “deaf to the word of God,” their hearts are hardened, and “they lose the meaning of faithfulness”
(Pope Francis).
The story of Ebenezer Scrooge by Charles Dickens in the Christmas Carol is a story of hope and redemption. Scrooge’s love for money slowly hardens his heart and turns him into a mean, miserly, miserable old man. His days are set on just amassing wealth. His transformation takes place through the visits of the 3 ghosts- past, present and future. His ghostly experience reveal his root cause of the problem- his obsession for money, the pain he has caused through his lack of empathy and the need for change. He also realizes that the Cratchit home albeit poor is filled with so much warmth and love as opposed to his large mansion that is cold and empty. This entire process of visiting the past pain, present faults and future consequence – awakens Scrooge from his miserly ways to a generous heart. He helps the Cratchit family, reconciles with his nephew and becomes a joyful man.
We may not be visited by the ghosts to awaken us from our spiritual slumber but for the past few weeks, Jesus has been warning us through the Gospel to be on guard. In the midst of darkness and struggles in our world today- we are thirsting for the message of hope. Despite the warning Jesus gives us, we are given hope in the 1st reading that we are ‘the clay’ and God is our ‘potter ’- we are the work of his hands (Isaiah 64: 8). Isn’t that great – that we have a God who is working and does not give up on us? All we have to do is allow ourselves to be transformed by Him. As we prepare for the coming of our Lord, let us take time to reflect on the following:
“Do I guard myself, my heart, my feelings, my thoughts? Do I guard the treasure of grace? Do I guard the presence of the Holy Spirit in me? Or do I let go, feeling secure, believing that all is going well?” (Pope Francis) – SR
Pray, hope and don’t worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer.
Saint Padre Pio