First Sunday of Advent B4

First Sunday of Advent B4

Once there was a round table discussion on religion and freedom in which many theologians and famous religious leaders were present.  Dalai Lama, the Tibetan religious leader and a Brazilian theologian Leonardo Boff were also taking part. During recess, there was a brief discussion between Dalai Lama and Leonardo. Leonardo asked Dalai Lama: “Your holiness, what is the best religion?”

Leonardo thought that he would say: “The Tibetan Buddhism” or “The oriental religions, much older than Christianity.” Dalai Lama paused for a moment, smiled and looked into his eyes and said: “The best religion is the one that gets you closest to God and makes you a better person.” He further asked him: "But what is it, that makes him a better person?"  Dalai Lama responded: “Whatever makes you more compassionate, more sensible, more detached, more loving, more humanitarian, more responsible and more ethical.”  “The religion that will do that for you, is the best religión.”

Leonardo was silent at his wise and irrefutable response. Dalai Lama said, "I am not interested about your religion or if you are religious or not. What really is important to me is your behaviour in front of your friends, your family, your work,  your community, and in front of the world and God." Remember, the universe is the echo of our actions and our thoughts. The law of action and reaction is not exclusively for physics.  It is also of human relations. If I act with goodness, I will receive goodness. If I act with eviI, I will get evil. You will always have what you desire for others. Being happy is not a matter of destiny. It is a matter of options. And finally he said: Be Vigilant, watchful and careful at all times in your life.

Today is the beginning of Advent, that time of the Liturgical year wherein the Church reminds us to be vigilant, watchful and hopeful as we prepare for the birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ. On this first Sunday of Advent, we are warned that everything will end. This is a very timely reminder especially for those who continue to believe that they can extend, prolong or perpetuate their worldly pursuit of power, fame, riches and glory, even at the expense of other people and God Himself. The message is simple, loud and clear. The key word of today's Gospel is WATCH which sums up what Dalai Lama said to Brazilian theologian Leonardo Boff. The word for word, W-A-T-C-H stands for:

W stands for Words. Our irresponsible use of words can hurt and destroy people. Many relationships had been broken with onslaught of vile language, cursing and gossiping. Let our mouths be instruments of blessing rather than cursing and gossiping, of kindness than condemnation, of appreciation than destructive criticism and of praising than blaspheming. That is why a saying goes this way: “The tongue should be used to bless rather than to curse; to compliment rather than to criticize; to highlight good qualities rather than focus on bad qualities.”

A stands for Actions. If we are to be jailed today for being a Christian, what proof can our accusers show that we are really one? If actions speak louder than words, do our actions reflect profoundly our faith? We know that mere profession of faith is not enough. We need to express it concretely in deeds. Can we be more loving, caring and forgiving in our lives?

T stands for Thoughts. A wise man once said: “All that we are is a result of what we have thought. It begins with our thoughts, it is carried on with our thoughts and ends with our thoughts.” The New Testament standard is that it is never enough to avoid doing wicked things; it is to restrain our thoughts not to even desire them. The word may never be concerned with judging the thoughts of humans. But for Christ, thoughts are just as important as actions.

C stands for Character. Saint Paul says: “Fortitude produces character” and “character produces hope,” (Rom 5:4). When trials afflict people, some may allow themselves to whine and grovel in despair, other may spur themselves with the opportunities of merging stronger and greater and nearer to God. Christians are those who set efforts and hopes in bringing about God’s kingdom in their midst. What is the character of our lives? Is it devoted to our own glory or God’s glory?

H stands for Hearts. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also,” (Matt 6:21). If our hearts fixed on possessions, we become greedy; if they are directed to having popularity and power, we become proud; if our hearts are set on worldly security, we become people of fear. What is in our hearts? Is it a heart full of love for God and for those whom we have committed ourselves to love? Or is it a heart full of H-Hatred, E-Envy, A-Anger, R-Resentment and T-Timidity?

Today is the first week of Advent. Jesus tells His disciples to be vigilant at all times. He tells us to be alert and to be on the watch, and not let our hearts cause anxieties of daily life. Let us watch and our watch will bring conversion in our lives. Let us prepare ourselves for the coming Christmas celebration which involves a spiritual renewal on our part so that we can celebrate Christmas meaningfully and allow our Lord to come into our lives. Let us be watchful against devil and his evil ways and resolve to walk in the light of the Lord.

“Take care of your Thoughts because they become Words.

Take care of your Words because they will become Actions.

Take care of your Actions because they will become Habits.

Take care of your Habits because they will form your Character.

Take care of your Character because it will form your Destiny,

And your Destiny will be your Life. "There is no religion higher than the Truth.”