Peace in the Lord Jesus who comes and will come again. I believe that 2020 has forced us to think more deeply and to act more passionately and to take nothing for granted: human life, family and relationships, health, security, parish life, school life, faith, and democracy, among other things. While I am most thankful to God for the gift of life and health, and am most proud of being an American citizen, and have always treasured family and faith, even these strong foundations can be shaken by events like those of 2020. And the lesson, for me at least, is this: it is not just about me, and my welfare, and my family, and my job, and my faith, and my community, and my parish, my school, and my political party; it is about us – all of us.
Life (eternal life) is about the welfare of everybody, nobody excluded, especially the least, the last, and the lost about whom we just heard proclaimed in Matthew’s Gospel (see Matthew 25:31-46) on the Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. Ultimately, our life and mission are about making God’s reign and its values more universal and inclusive as they break through the shadows of our hearts, families, communities, nation, church, and world.
The Kingdom of God and its values cannot be taken for granted as established, universal and inclusive. Keeping this in mind, the church celebrates again (in the context of 2020) Advent. In celebrating this liturgical season again, we are reminded again of the Father’s love and mercy that still break into the bleakness of 2020 as they first did when Jesus came into the world (see John 1:4-6 and 3:16).
As we decorate our homes with Christmas lights to perhaps overcome the gloom of 2020, we need to recall again that the first light of Christmas is Christ, the light of the world (see John 8:12 and 9:39). We received this light at baptism, and, by virtue of baptism, we are bearers of the light (Mt 5:14) through an engaging faith, an active love and compassionate service in our families, communities, nation and church.
John, throughout his writings, underlines the light of Jesus and its contrast of darkness. This tension and battle continue today. Darkness is another word for sin and where there is sin, there is no room for Christ; love is absent, and inclusivity and unity are weakened. The very fabric of life, family, community, nation and church is frayed or torn: human life is devalued, abused and threatened; division sets in; people are marginalized and disenfranchised; and fear, anger and anxiety reign.
More than ever, we are called to celebrate Advent 2020 not only as a season, but as a call to conversion. Advent is about dreaming, hoping and changing ourselves so that the light of Christ may shine in the darkness of our hearts, homes, communities, nation, world and church. Advent calls us to live more fully the motto of our nation, E pluribus unum (Out of many, one), and to build a church that is holier, more united, and more “catholic,” that is, living more fully and universally its teachings.
Father Matthew R. Weber is pastor of Holy Cross Parish, Bridgeton.
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