Almost
thirty years ago, in November 5, 1991 Typhoon Uring brought down heavy rain
over Leyte including Ormoc City. Close to noon, people heard a loud booming
sound which residents mistook for thunder. Many breathed a sigh of relief that
the typhoon was almost over, when an epic flash flood took place. Water rose
instantly as high as seven feet that brought great disaster to the whole city.
Those who survived had to climbed on top of two-story roofs watching water
rushed along the sides of houses with an unmistakably strong current. It was
something sudden and unexpected. As quickly as it came, the flood was gone in
three hours and left at least 6,000 casualties with debris and mud all over.
In
today’s gospel, Jesus warns us of the importance of preparation. As in the days
of Noah, when people did not bother why he was building an ark while going on
with their normal lives only to find out too late that the flood was coming.
Jesus reminds us that there is something more important we need to prepare than
the usual events of our lives. God will show up without any appointment or
sudden death or the end of the world could come at any moment. Hence we must be
constantly prepared anytime, anywhere.
Jesus’
parable cautions us to “stay awake.” The Master is the image for Jesus who will
come like a thief in the night. It can be so sudden and swift. Advent teaches
us to acquire an attitude of being perpetually prepared. Advent, in fact, is a
time for looking both backward and forward. We make a backward look as we
prepare for the historical birth of Jesus. But we also make a forward look by
preparing our hearts for his Second Coming. Like the early Christians our
prayer this season is “Maranatha” – Come, Lord Jesus. We keep alive our hope
and keep our gaze on the eternal realities of heaven.
Prayer:
Lord, teach me to stay awake so that I may always keep alive the hope of your
Second Coming. Amen.
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