When the album Folklore was released on July 2020, it was just months after Covid 19 affected the entire world.  Taylor Swift isolated herself in those days, but aloneness proved to be fertile ground for a revelation.  One song stood out among those included in the album.  In this poetic, lyrical piece, Swift “empathizes with doctors and nurses, who served the affected despite their harrowing work, and mental trauma they have to experience while handling the loss of human lives.”  

Our Gospel reading this first Sunday of Advent is intriguing. How can we connect this to our preparation for the Messiah’s birthday on Christmas, and to our preparations for the second coming–the End of Days, as some people believe it will be?

In the year 600 BC, the kingdoms of Jerusalem and Judah found themselves subjugated, first by the Egyptian and then by the Babylonian empires. The empires, as ruling authorities, had control over various aspects of governance. They dictated policies, imposed heavy taxes, and appointed tyrannical vassal kings, with all facets of rule falling under their command.

By living out our faith actively in these difficult times, we align ourselves with God’s purpose and we continuously prepare to what lies ahead. After all, in the passage lies a hidden message of hope and salvation: the moment when God will gather His people, bringing them together from all corners of the earth, safe in His presence and assured of His promise of deliverance and peace.

Death anniversary noon ni Pinky, ang aking matalik na kaibigan, nag pasya kaming dumalaw sa kanilang probinsya sa Pangasinan. Halos 12 years din ako na di nakabalik doon, dalawang marunong mag-drive ang aking sinama. Yung isa, waze ang tinitingnan, tinuro kami sa isang daan na dead end naman. Kaya nag desisyon ang isang kasama namin na magtanong tanong, at natunton namin ang bahay nila Pinky. Mahusay ang makabagong panahon upang mapabilis ang ating mga gawain subalit lumilikha naman ito ng paglayo natin sa kapwa. Ang mensahe ni Hesus ay lumaganap noong ipinahayag ito ng iba at hindi lang sa limitadong kanyang mga kaibigan at isang paraan. Sa ating panahon, kinikilala natin na mabisa ang social media, subalit mabisa pa rin ang malawak na kayang maabot ng pakikipag k’wentuhan at malalim na pakikipag-kapwa.

One of the most beautiful illustrations I’ve ever heard about the depth of our knowledge of the Lord goes like this: Before starting the day’s business, the presiding judge called on anyone from the courtroom who knew Psalm 23 and requested to share it at the front.