dali na lang ukon dugay pa?! 1st Sunday of Advent B

If you examine the bible more closely you will see two kinds of beliefs on the 2^nd coming of the Lord.  There is the belief on the imminent return, dali na gid lang, sa dili madugay; and second there is the belief on the future return or what is also called the delayed return, dugay pa, lawig pa nga hulatay ni.  It seems that when Mark was writing our gospel today he is familiar with these two beliefs in his community.  So what did he do?  What did he believe in?  What did he choose to insist on, the imminent or the delayed. 

In our gospel today Mark seemed not to choose from the two.  He simply put those two beliefs together.  Not because he cannot decide but because he has his own purpose.  Actually he may even have two purposes.

First it does not matter if it is imminent or delayed.  There is no point in taking sides whether to insist that Christ is coming now and the end is about to take place or the end is not yet in sight and there is no need to get anxious about something that is still way into the future.  For Mark it does not matter whether he comes in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning.  When is not important.  What matters is to look for Jesus at every moment.  Mark did not say wait.  Instead Mark said watch, he said be alert, be always in the lookout, be watchful.  The attitude is not of one who is waiting, the attitude is one who is looking.  So it is not a question will he return soon or will he return in the future.  It does not matter when.  The fact is I am constantly looking for Jesus.  He is already here and I just have to look for him in my activities, in my responsibilities, in my relationships, in my service to others, in the sacrifices that I do for the community.  I am constantly looking for Jesus, I am constantly in the lookout for opportunities to serve others, I am constantly alert should I be given a chance or an opportunity to offer my talent, my gifts for the community.  So you are not waiting for Jesus.  You are looking for Jesus in opportunities where you could be of service to others.

Second, our looking out for Jesus is also an acknowledgement for Mark that we do not have Jesus the way they, the apostles, had him in the past, and we do not have Jesus the way we will have him in the future.  Sang una 2,000 years ago with his apostles they can touch him, they can hear his real voice, they can see his actions.  Now although we have his presence in his word and in the Eucharist, it is not the same as they had him before.  And also it will not be the same when we will have him in the future.  Mark also wants us to be aware of the absence of the Lord.  Mark would describe the feeling as the feeling when bridegroom is taken away from the wedding.

Si Manong ko, magulang ko caterer.  One time ginsugiran ko niya sang isa ka hitabo sa kasal nga iya gin-cateran.  Ano ang natabo?  Wala nag-ulpot ang nobyo.  The bridegroom was taken away or more factually the bridegroom did not show up.  Kanami man kuno sang pamilya kay wala sing may nagwaras, wala sing may nagwala – kalma lang gid.  Some even showed up sa reception to eat and when they ate they spoke softly.  Of course there was no laughter no giggling but there was also no crying or anger.  Siling niya ka-educado kaayo sang pamilya – both sides sa bride and groom.  Pero kala-in gid ya sang sa mga kasal nga kompleto ang tanan.  Although kalma, pero daw kapoy, daw frustrated, daw napus-an.  My point is there is a big difference despite the fact that everything is there and only one thing is lacking.

That too is what Mark wants us to feel – the absence of the bridegroom.  And thus Mark wants us to look forward, to desire, to yearn for that presence – the presence of Jesus.  This is not yet happiness.    If you are not happy now know that something more pleasant awaits us. If you are happy now know that there is still something better.  Never be satisfied with our present situation.

Today we end our festivity in honor of our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.  This is the fiesta of our community, not just the community within the seminary walls but the bigger community of Barangay Seminario.  We have the diana, the procession, the triduum, the flags.  Many of you have given yourself in service to the community during these past days, contributing whatever you have to honor the Blessed Mother.  We should be thankful for these opportunities to be of service.  As I often say, service is its own reward.  I am happy because I was asked to serve.  This too can be a way of looking out for Jesus, grabbing opportunities for service, grabbing opportunities for loving.  Imbibe that spirit always.  Bal-an ko may iban sa inyo nga nagapalagyo sa akon kay basi sugoon ko kamo.  Pero kon manghagad ko pamahaw ara dayon.  Ka dayaon ah!  But there are those who are like SM salesboys and ladies, Happy to Serve.  I think that should also be in the priesthood and in our community.