Second Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 40:1 “Comfort, give
comfort to my people, says your God.”
LAST WEEK, all those exposed to Covid positive patients went on quarantine. It was then I knew that because of our work in securing our people and providing safety, we will also be at risk. As I always do, instructions are given and coordination amongst security is done even beyond midnight.
One Army commander sent a text of comfort for me to find time to rest. The next day, when our results were out, he and a police officer and a Marine personnel contracted Covid. God spared us with negative result for us to give comfort to our compañeros na servicio y seguridad.
As gratitude to Mama Mary, I found myself in the first day of Novena mass in the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception with a negative RT-PCR result. This Commander in the Army faced danger and even fell two floors with blows to the floor hitting his back while clearing operations in Marawi. Such are the sacrifices they undergo just to protect us all in Zamboanga City, putting their own lives ahead even if they too are fathers.
We pray and give comfort to all who are sick and all who care for the sick. Covid knows no bounds. A colleague whose sacrifices in feeding hundreds during the Zamboanga Siege and feeding thousands of families during the pandemic has suffered with members of her family sick with Covid.
So much generosity in duty to
help us as they undergo personal family emergencies.
Amidst the victims of flooding, I sought to listen to her struggles seeing how much she is suffering and finding ways to lessen her burden.
In this Second Sunday of Advent, the Second Reading 2 Peter 3:8-14 - The Lord does not delay his promise, as some regard “delay,” but He is patient with you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. We are called to repent as the Lord awaits our conversion patiently. Because we live in a VUCA WORLD as stated by our resource person Aldrin Cuña, we have to learn how to patiently respond and await a safer world.
A world that is volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous. I feel saddened that children cannot enjoy the “Pamaskong Pamilyang Filipino” theme of the Christmas display at the City Hall. Children cannot be allowed to go out of their homes because they have a higher viral load per Dr. Dulce and medical experts. They would easily get sick.
Because of loss of jobs and finances due to Covid, depression can lead to suicide. Anger, resentment, disappointment and frustration make people even those in position of great influence question my action as Mayor in the enforcement of security and safety protocols with Task Force Covid. Todo estos , rabio y difficultad parte del pandemia! Mas pesao el andansa manda intende que el bien estar de todo amo ta guia hace maga mejores.
It is very challenging to make people realize that the heart of enforcing protocols is for everyone’s safety and not for political motives of control. Just like a mother’s love for her children, she needs to protect them from harm by setting-up rules because of love. With Covid still present, even Christmas parties have to be postponed because eating, drinking and the traditional carolling will all endanger us. Even our worship has to be adjusted with face mask, face shield and social distance and hand sanitation.
Last December 8, we celebrated Mary our Mother’s feast of the Immaculate Conception who was conceived without sin. Bishop Romulo dela Cruz got his prayer answered as this day is declared a public holiday. Fr. Tony de Castro. S.J., mentioned a St. Agustine’s teaching that before Mary conceived Jesus, she first conceived Jesus in her heart. May we welcome Jesus in our hearts to leave room for Him in the VUCA world of the pandemic.
In today’s Gospel Mark 1:1-8,
“Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” We prepare ourselves
for God’s coming. We pray as what my husband and I do even for those who hurt
us and like the sorrow that pierced Mama Mary’s heart, may we be like Jesus who
humbled himself as God’s greatest gift! We look forward to welcome this
wonderful gift of Jesus the Emmanuel this Christmas. (MBC)
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