Advent conversion

With the best of intentions, we as disciples of Christ still celebrate the Feast of Christ the King, which we did last November 25. In so many homes, chapels, and churches are the pictures or statues of Christ with a golden, bejeweled crown over his head, and imperial robes over his shoulders. The symbols of worldly power, wealth, and domination over people. This may even be a source of rationalization on the part of some Christians who practice social injustice in both their lifestyle and in the work world. Moreover, the poor and uneducated may tend to worship Christ whom they imagine as up, up there on his throne in heaven rather than one who is down, down here among them.

In fact, some statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary are likewise made in a similar way. One such statue in Lapu-Lapu City had accumulated many pieces of jewelry from devotees throughout the years, and they were recently stolen by burglars. “They took at least 69 gold necklaces, 16 gold bracelets and 70 gold rings. Some of the pieces of jewelry were detached from the statue and the theft was discovered when church workers found the statue’s dress in disarray, according to police” (PDI, Nov. 29, 2012, p. A8).

The original, historical Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph lived a simple lifestyle among ordinary people. Jesus was born in a manger and grew up in a barrio because Joseph was an ordinary carpenter. So how should we be preparing for the birth of such a human-divine Jesus during this period called Advent? God sent a simple, ordinary man named John to be His herarld, “proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins….” (Lk. 3: 3).

What about us these days? How are we spending Advent as we prepare for Christmas? Be objective and call a spade a spade. Just go around Metro-Manila and take a good look at the more and more numerous and expensive Christmas decorations and Belens, including our own school campus. If one-half or two-thirds of all these were converted into cash, food bags, and clothing, and given to the poor as gifts, this would be closer to the real meaning of Advent and Christmas. A more equitable distribution of God’s resources. Social justice. Love, compassion, and solidarity with the poor. This was the lifestyle of the adult Jesus. Not Christ the King, but Christ the Servant-Leader.

There was a time when the people wanted to make him king because of his many wonderful deeds and miracles, but he refused. “Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain alone” (Jn. 6:15). Instead, he insisted on being a Servant-Leader and this is what his disciples should also be. “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them and those in authority over them are addressed as ‘Benefactors’; but among you it shall not be so. Rather, let the greatest among you be as the youngest, and the leader as the servant. For who is greater: the one seated at table or the one who serves? Is it not the one seated at table? I am among you as the one who serves” (Lk. 22: 25-27).

And the centerpoint of his being a Servant-Leader was during the Last Supper, when Christ washed his disciples’ feet, a task not even done by slaves during those times. The disciples were simply overwhelmed and could not believe what he was doing to them one by one. But what overwhelmed them even more was when Jesus told them to do the same to one another if they really wanted to be his disciples. “If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do” (Jn. 13: 14-15).

My goodness! How does that apply to you and me, to all of us who claim to be Christ’s disciples? How does that apply in today’s world of hierarchical structures, systems, and relationships? How does this apply to the materially rich in their relationships with the materially poor? How does this apply to the employers in their relationships with their employees? How does this apply to families in their relationships with their housemaids, servants, and drivers? How does this apply to Mayors, Governors, Congressmen, and other political leaders in their relationships with the citizens under their jurisdiction? Last but not least, how does this apply to religious leaders in their relationships with those under their care?

Love, compassion, justice, and equality in dignity and human rights. These are all parts of the answer. But it is easier said than done, unless we choose to develop an inner awareness in our hearts of the Presence of God, and how much he loves us unconditionally! It is this that will move us to love him in return, and to love all whom he loves ? everyone and anyone ? and all of his creation around us.

May we accept and embrace the grace that he offers us and become his true disciples. This is the meaning of Advent and Christmas. May we lovingly give this gift to one another unconditionally! Amen.