Since all these things will be destroyed in this way,
what kind of people should you be?
Your lives should be holy and dedicated to God, as you wait
for the Day of God and do your best to make it come soon -
the Day when the heavens will burn up and be destroyed,
and the heavenly bodies will be melted by the heat.
2 Peter 3:11 - 12
2nd Sunday of Advent
This Christmas I decided on a new version of the Christmas tree decoration. Instead of using the traditional green tree, fake one of cause, I used bamboo sticks this time; bamboo, with Christmas boobles, birds, green garlands. And I guess my idea of this new version of the Christmas tree does coincide with the 2nd Reading for the 2nd Sunday of Advent. I decided not to make use of the Gospel in my sharing this time, because the Gospel is mainly about the family tree of Jesus; tracing Jesus back to Abraham.
Anyway don't all of us dream of A WHOLE NEW WORLD? Aladdin had a song, 'The Whole New World'. I think the late Michael Jackson also sang a song about, 'Better World'.
To date I have yet to come across any person who does not hope for a, "Better..." something; better job, better environment, better Malaysian policy, better political solutions...
To me a better world, the new creation spoken of in the Bible, is about a world yet unseen; as Scripture says, the world waits for the day when a new creation will be given birth. The new creation expected for is like a child birth experienced by women. To me I must say, I have yet to thrist for this better world; wheather that better something is here in this world or in the next to come. To me the new creation is within me - this new creation, or the hope for a 'better something', is not about what I can/should force on others nor even to force onto myself. The hope I have is spontaneous - I strive to practice my hope in a way that my hope is giving life to others.
It is sad when we see Muslims figthing the so called, 'Jihad'. To see nations figthing against another; China and Tibet, Eygpt, Syria...Sad, to see how some people rush after a 'better' paid job while losing their health, family well-being and stepping over other along the way. The hope we have for a better world must be life giving, not DEATH CREATING. Any hope for a better world, that is brought about by killing others (directly or indirectly), or forcing others to adopt a particular ideology/understanding is never a "better' world.
As Bro Roger of the Taize Community said, all humanity has the right to seek God and no single person has the complete answer. Such a true statement given by a man of prayer. Don't we each seek God, seek goodness?
In all our seeking for a better world I realized that each person has a different way; a different view, a different understanding. Yes, this can make life suck! But, as Christians we need to remember the call to Charity. Let us work hard to respect and accept each other in love.
Perhaps, this is my solution for the 2nd Sunday of Advent. In the differences we face each day, I pray for more patience and a renewed Charity.