Dear Friends in Christ,
Today, almost half of the Gospel passage consists of historical-biographical data. Not even in the liturgy of the Mass was this historical text changed by the frequent “at that time.” This introduction, so “insignificant” for contemporary man, has prevailed: “In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee...” (Lk 3:1). Why? To demystify! God entered the history of mankind in a very “concrete” way, as well as in the history of every man. He did so, for example, in the life of John - Zechariah's son - who was in the desert. He called him to cry out on the banks of the Jordan... (Lk 3:6).
Today, God addresses his word to me as well. He does so personally—as with John the Baptist—or through his messengers. My Jordan River can be the Sunday Eucharist, or “That Man is You,” or “She.” It could also be Pope Francis' words, which reminds us that “The content of Christian testimony is not a theory, ...but better yet a person: the risen Christ, the living and only Savior of all.” God has entered the story of my life because Christ is not a theory. He is the Savior, Charity and Mercy.
But at the same time, this same God needs our poor effort: that we fill the valleys of our distrust towards His Love; that we level the mountains and hills of our pride, which prevents us from seeing Him and receiving His help; that we straighten and smooth the crooked paths that make the path to our heart a labyrinth…
Today is the second Sunday of Advent, which has as its main objective that I may find God on the path of my life. No longer just a newborn, but above all the Most Merciful Savior, to see the smile of God, when the whole world shall see the salvation of God (cf. Lk 3:6). That's true! St. Gregory of Nazianzus taught, “Nothing gives such pleasure to God as the conversion and salvation of men.”
All the best…in Christ,
Father Wilson
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