2nd Sunday of Advent
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December 8, 2017Second SUNDAY of ADVENT! The week of “preparing and making the Lord’s paths straight” by adhering to John the Baptist’s call, when he appeared in the desert and doing the following:“Proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins... and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins.”
There is a word in John the Baptist’s call that’s significant in our preparation for the Messiah’s coming; it is repentance! Repentance is an expression of reparation, atonement, and penance, which ends in earning the grace of forgiveness leading to conversion.
Hence, repentance’s spiritual urgency accelerates our hope to be counted in God’s Kingdom. Accordingly, let us be receptive to John the Baptist’s gift to us - a distinct spiritual medicine, called: “Repentance Tablet!” It’s connected with God’s love, mercy, and forgiveness. Its healing effect is 100% sure; no insurance requirements; non-taxable; no expiration date; and of course, it is free!
Since there are seven days a week, John the Baptist prescribed seven kinds of “Repentance Tablets” we need each day to be spiritually ready for the Messiah’s coming. They are:- Tablet of Love! “ Where there is hatred, let us bring love!” Loving is a ministry that never ends.
- Tablet of Pardon! “ Where there is injury, let us bring pardon!” Let us live a reconciled and reconciling way of life. Be forgivers not faultfinders!
- Tablet of Faith!“ Where there is doubt, let us bring faith!” Faith is the Church’s lifeblood! Be faith workers and providers.
- Tablet of Hope!“ Where there is despair, let us bring hope!” Let us walk with hope in our hearts, and we will never walk alone. Be a hope builder!
- Tablet of Light!“ Where there is darkness, let us bring light!” Be the “ Bethlehem Star” and lead people to the manger of love.
- Tablet of Hospitality! Where there is rejection, hospitality is the cure. It’s simply showing your love to your guests and they feel at home in your presence!
- Tablet of Prayer! When we lose connection with God, the key is prayer. It’s the soul of our relationship with God and the Wi-Fi connections with him.
If the Repentance Tablets are taken religiously, I believe we will be all right in our journey towards God’s Kingdom. So, my prescription to all of you during the SEASON of ADVENT is this:“Take one REPENTANCE TABLET a day to drive temptation away!”
God bless you all!
Romeo N. Seleccion, MS Pastor
