Saturday Reflection – 05 December 2020

Saturday Reflection – 05 December 2020

“That evening, at sunset, they brought to Jesus all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many.” St. Mark 1:32-34

The news had spread throughout the city about someone who speaks with authority and is able to cast out demons, who heals the sick and suffering. For the people, he was not like any other, though they dubbed him a prophet. There was a glimmer of hope in this dull world, where many faced the realities of ill-health and suffering. Religion seemed to do no good, as the Pharisees made the law into a burden, which brought no real sense of pride, hope, peace, and joy to the people. In that context, Christ came to the world, not to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved. In that context, he came to bring life more abundantly. (St. John 3:17; St. John 10:10)

And as the news spread throughout the region, so did the people come having experienced the strain of their own realities, and brought their own sick, or demon-possessed with the hope that the one they heard about could make them completely whole. And we can all imagine the joy and celebration, the glory to God being given, as Jesus heals them all from their infirmities. This hope sparked great leaps of faith, as the people came to the Messiah, and genuine worship, when their faith became sight. The people were amazed as his ability and authority and some good news, in an otherwise normal and dull world, spread throughout the whole region.

The season of advent is one of preparation. As we reflect on our Messiah’s first coming, stories like these, remind us of the light, hope and joy that he brought to this otherwise dull world. Our journey through the advent season, should be a reminder of the hope that was the prophets of old announced to the people, and even the good news that spread throughout the region about the one that heals and frees. Though they classified him as a prophet, there was just something different about him, and they may have thought it to be his authority, or what we could assume was the ambience; the presence of God when they felt when they were with him, or that they were never the same again. But it just was not normal. He really was the good shepherd. No one was the same again, for Christ had made them whole.

This year, though unforgettable due to the unprecedented pandemic that we find ourselves in, has otherwise gone by so quickly. It may be so easy to forget our solid foundation in Christ, as we go through the motions. Or even grapple with the lasting effects of COVID-19. Yet still, the season of advent reminds of the Messiah who came a living testament to God’s love, care and grace given to humanity. Like in today’s doctrinal text, let this season of preparation, stir us to spread the good news of the birth of our Messiah and ignite hope, love, and peace in the hearts of all people. Where there is gloom and despair, spread the gospel-message so that the light of the good news of the incarnation of the Messiah, may raise the hearts and minds of all people in adoration and expectation of our God that heals and frees, and in affirmation that we will never be the same again.

Until next week, like John the Baptist, let us proclaim the good news of the coming of our Saviour. Let this message be on our lips like those who have experienced the power and presence of God. Let hope triumph over hopelessness and a song instead of sighing. Then let us all in expectation, as we journey through this season of preparation, fix our hearts on minds on Christ who came to save us, and who will come again. Amen.

Dominic J. Blair