this sunday we start a new liturgical year for the catholic church. we are greeted by the season of advent as a preparation for the joyous celebration of christmas and also as hope filled waiting for our lord’s victorious return at the end of time. the gospel for this sunday comes with a junction, “watch!” and we are given an image of a household head who leaves for some time and puts his servants in charge, the picture that is painted for us admonishes us to be always prepared in anticipating our lord’s coming; in the same way that guards are ever alert in protecting their camp and ensuring that nothing untoward happens during their watch. the first reading however gives us another image of watching; and the picture that is painted is ever closer to our hearts.
the prophet isaiah calls on god, “o lord… you are our father” (is 63, 15; 16). here we are given another image of waiting in this season of advent: a parent watching his child. this picture is very dear to mothers who watch their newborn every night not letting any insect bother them. the parent’s watch is also familiar to fathers who guide their children in discerning what is right from wrong; in choosing what is good over and above what is bad.
given the image of a parent’s watch as advent waiting, we are then brought to a couple of truths that follow closely. the first truth has to do with a parent’s conviction that the life of his or her child is important. flowing from that conviction is the very posture of the heart that proclaims each and every life is important. from the single special life that she carries in her arms, a true mother never finds difficulty in seeing each child’s life is unique and every life has value. individualism is a caricature of this stance! the contraceptive mentality that is being peddled by the western mind is a violation of this posture. the catholic church maintains such a careful stance on issues that pertains to life for every single life is a promise of a better future (teilhard de chardin, sj).
filipinos have this wonderful respect for the pregnant. she is looked upon with care and admiration for she carries in her womb a promise and the effort of the filipino family to improve itself. the entire church community celebrates every time there is birth and baptism, for each child carries the possibility of the best version of the church; every birth carries the hope of a community for a better tomorrow. the child could be the best filipino, best christian or best version of our race – this is the hope that goes along with every birth! and our hope enkindles the best effort we put into rearing our children, the hope of the best version of ourselves before god!
the second point that we learn from our advent image of watching/parenting is this truth, “only people who are able to love can give themselves to patient waiting!” this truth goes against what we are used to in our modern life. we are so accustomed to everything as instant (coffee, noodles, tea and the all powerful tv remote control) and we often transpose this mindset to all we do; we want instant learning through the internet and not bother to open unsightly books! we can also go from one relationship to another if we feel falling out of love; when we feel the passing of the flame (scott peck).
watching in the manner of a parent’s waiting for her child to grow cannot be accomplished by someone without love. for in a very true sense, waiting is at times suffering. this truth immediately turns away uncommitted adventurers and flings. advent watch as patient loving and waiting is perhaps the truest of all loves. one knows that one is loved when the other person is willing to wait for her or him with respect and concern.
lest we forget our model in this patient watching and loving parenting is god himself! he who is ever faithful in his patience, his watch, love as a parent – for god is our father.
