It is His Desire to Save (Tuesday, Advent 2)

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Introduction

It is not the will of God that any of us should perish. He goes on searching for the lost; and once he finds the lost, he rejoices. In this Advent, in this period of preparation, we can more actively present ourselves to God to be found as He searches for us.


Homily Proper

Some people think of or might have thought of God as a very mean being up there, ever ready to punish us severely, destroy us and push us into burning flames if we sin; as a being who is ever ready to inflict us with diseases and difficulties whenever we sin. It reminds me of an article about Pope Francis that I read. Someone was surprised to see the pope (His Holiness) skiing. He had always thought that the Pope should be in his white cassock, blessing people wherever he goes and saying prayers continuously. When he saw the pope playing, he said that he has seen another side of holiness. That is by the way! Yes, our God is the God of justice; but he is also the God of mercy (Ps. 103:8: rich in graciousness, full of mercy and slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love).

In keeping to his nature, God inspired Isaiah to speak tenderly to his people, to comfort them and to tell them that their warfare is ended and their iniquity pardoned (cf. Isa. 40:1-11). Just imagine! He is talking about comfort and healing for a people who forsook Him their Creator and began to follow what He created. If I were in God’s shoes, I am sure my attitude may be different. Instead of pronouncing judgment and condemnation, God pronounced mercy, healing and forgiveness. For God then, everyone is His favorite. No matter my sinful condition, he loves me.

He promised the people of Israel that He is coming to deliver them; but they must work on the road of their hearts and consciences so that he can have a smooth ride. They should prepare for his coming not by using tractors to brush down the physical hills and mountains and to fill the valleys; but to work on the roads of their moral lives. Rev. 3:20 says that He stands at the door and knocks expecting us to open. And so we have a stake, a role to play for our complete restoration and healing.

According to 2 Peter 3:9, it is not the will of God that anyone should perish. The same words are voiced by Jesus that it is not the will of the Father that these little ones should perish (cf. Matt. 18:14). Most often we condemn ourselves and think that there’s no hope of God’s restoration and mercy and friendship. We project our very selves (the unforgiving aspect of us) as the image of God. No! God is more than we think of Him. Having known this, let us continue to present ourselves to Him. It is never too late for each of us to be saved.       


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