"Jerusalem, go up on a high mountain and proclaim the good news! Call out with a loud voice, Zion; announce the good news! Speak out and do not be afraid. Tell the towns of Judah that their God is coming!" (Isaiah 40:9)
Yes, the Messiah is coming, and November 28 is the Solemnity of Advent for the year 2021. This first Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of a four-week season of the Church to prepare for the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas Day.
THE WORLD TODAY
Like in the yesteryears, the Church enters Advent this year within a global context of health, environmental, security and economic challenges. The scene in 2021 has been marked by the Covid-19 pandemic, earthquakes in Haiti, storms and wildfires in America, and conflicts in many countries, of the world including Afghanistan, Nigeria Libya, Syria, Nigeria and Cameroon - all leading to a global economic recession, unemployment, poverty and misery.
The consequences of these challenges have also robbed individuals, families and communities of their fulfillment in life and hope in the future. And in the face of all these adversities many Christians have become discouraged, weak and desperate. Some have abandoned their Faith, and others have left the Church in search of miracles - miracles which they have not yet found, or have found but at the expense of their salvation.
Where is the Messiah?
Of course, the disasters, diseases, deaths, violence and miseries - numerous and recurrent in the world today - have left many unanswered questions in the minds and lips of both believers and unbelievers: Does God exist? What and why should we believe? Why has God abandoned the world? Where is the Messiah whose birth we celebrate every end-of-year?
To all these questions, the Lord answers: "Israel, you have seen so much, but what has it meant to you? You have ears to hear with, but what have you really heard?" The Lord is a God who is eager to save, so he exalted his laws and teachings, and he wanted his people to honor them. Will any of you listen to this? From now on will you listen with care? Who gave Israel up to the looters? It was the Lord himself, against whom we sinned! We would not live as he wanted us to live or obey the teachings he gave us. So he made us feel the force of his anger and suffer the violence of war. Like fire his anger burned throughout Israel, but we never knew what was happening; we learned nothing at all from it". (Isaiah 42:20-21, 23-25).
We Take the Blame
So the many disasters, diseases, conflicts and pains afflicting the world today may rightly be attributed to both the individual and collective sins of humanity. These are summed up in all forms of immorality, sexual perversity, idolatry, corruption and injustices; which are both offensive to God and harmful to society. For this reason the world can only get God's attention to its troubles by being attentive and obedient to his teachings and commandments; which are both pleasing to God and beneficial to society .
Thus, the Lord concludes: "Israel, why then do you complain that the LORD doesn't know your troubles or care if you suffer injustice? Don't you know? Haven't you heard? The LORD is the everlasting God; he created all the world. He never grows tired or weary." (Isaiah 40:27-28)
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THE MESSIAH IS COMING |
THE SIGN OF THE MESSIAH
As the scriptures say, "The Lord is a God who is eager to save, so he exalted his laws and teachings, and he wanted his people to honor them. But now his people have been plundered; they are locked up in dungeons and hidden away in prisons. They were robbed and plundered, with no one to come to their rescue”. (Isaiah 42:21-22)
So in the absence of the Messiah the world is doomed! Even the gods whom we call or worship cannot help us (Isaiah 41:29). In fact, no one is able, without God, to solve their problems or the multiple problems of the world today. There are people of good will who want to do good for the good of society. But their plans and efforts are, usually, thwarted by the wicked majority of the people - the agents of the underground syndicates of vice and evil.
Hopefully, the adversities and calamities we are facing today are not "clouds without a silver lining" - in fact, they are the signs of the Messiah. Thus the scripture says :"There will be strange things happening to the sun, the moon, and the stars. On earth whole countries will be in despair, afraid of the roar of the sea and the raging tides. People will faint from fear as they wait for what is coming over the whole earth, for the powers in space will be driven from their courses. Then the Son of Man will appear, coming in a cloud with great power and glory. When these things begin to happen, stand up and raise your heads, because your salvation is near." (Luke 21:25-28) ,
So, for you who believe in the Good News, there is great hope. For, the scripture says, "'The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?' Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.'” (Mark 10:26-27)
ONLY GOD CAN SAVE US
So the scripture says, "I alone am the Lord, the only one who can save you. I predicted what would happen, and then I came to your aid. No foreign god has ever done this; you are my witnesses. I am God and always will be. No one can escape from my power; no one can change what I do." (Isaiah 43:10-11, 13). This is the hope you have - that God can save you, because he is ever-present, all-knowing and all-powerful.
And that hope does not end just there - if you are united to God, he can also use you to save the world from its troubles and bring good to humanity. This why Jesus says to you, "I am the vine, and you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me." (John 15:5)
Therefore, you have every reason to hope and to prepare for the coming of the Messiah because: ""The LORD said," The time is coming when I will fulfil the promise that I made to the people of Israel and Judah. At that time I will choose as king a righteous descendant of David. That king will do what is right and just throughout the land. The people of Judah and of Jerusalem will be rescued and will live in safety. The city will be called ‘The LORD Our Salvation’" (Jeremiah 33:14 -16).
The word Messiah comes from a Hebrew word meaning “the anointed one” or “the chosen one.” It designates Jesus Christ, as the Savior and Redeemer of the world, as he was prophesied in the Old Testament. (Micah 5:2-4; Jeremiah 33:14-16).
JESUS CHRIST IS THE MESSIAH
The personality of Jesus Christ, as the Messiah and Savior, leaves nothing to doubt. For, God has given so many proofs of this fact to world that the identity of his Son can never be mistaken.
1. The Testimony of the Prophets
The first sign of the Messiah was given by God through the Prophets, when Isaiah and Micah prophesied that the Savior will be born of a Virgin - and called Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2-4)
2. The Testimony of the Angels
Later on God spoke through Angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, designating her as the Mother of the Messiah by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Luke 1:31-35). The same Angel appeared to Joseph, Mary's spouse-to-be, and revealed to him the same message. (Matthew 1:19-21). On both occasions, the Angel revealed the name of the Messiah as Jesus, and also confirmed that Jesus and Immanuel is one person.
Then when Jesus was born the Angels also appeared to the shepherds on hills, told them about the Messiah and directed them to where he was born - in the manger (Luke 2:8-12).
3. The Testimony of the Star
After the Nativity the star of Jesus Christ - the Messiah - appeared to Magicians in the East and led them to come with gifts and worship him in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1-2, 9).
4. The Testimony of the Holy Spirit
John the Baptist baptized Jesus Christ in the River Jordan, then heaven opened, and the Holy Spirit came down on him in the form of a dove (Matthew 3:16).
5. The Testimony of the Father
After the baptism of Jesus Christ, and following the testimony of the Holy Spirit, God spoke loudly from heaven, declaring Jesus Christ as his beloved Son. (Matthew 3:17). And during the Transfiguration of Jesus on Mt Tabor God spoke aloud to his disciples, ‘’This is my own dear Son, with whom I am well pleased – listen to him’’ (Matthew 17:5).
6. The Testimony of John the Baptist
John the Baptist testified to his own disciples that Jesus Christ was the Messiah (Matthew 1:29). He told them that the testimony of the Holy Spirit was what God had given him as the sign of the Messiah. (John 1:29, 33)
7. The Testimony of the Resurrection
After the Resurrection Jesus appeared and revealed himself to many people - including Mary Magdalena and his Apostles - for forty days before the Ascension (Acts 1:3; John 20:12-18; 1Corinthians 15:3-8)
8. The Testimony of Blood and Water
When Jesus had died on the Cross, the soldiers pierced his side - and blood and water poured out as he had said at the Last Supper (Luke 22:20; John 19:34-35). The testimony of the blood and the water is the proof that Christ is the source of salvation. (1 John 5:6, 9, 11)
9. The Testimony of the Word
The Holy Scripture - the testimony of the Word of God - is given to the Church as the source and the foundation of Faith (John 19:35; 20:29-31). Therefore, everyone who believes in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, shall be saved (John 3:16-17)
THE FACES OF THE MESSIAH
Having known that the Messiah is Jesus Christ, it is also important to know the different names by which he is known and the different faces by which he is revealed. In fact, the Messiah is the same one who is the Son of God (John 1:14, 18), the Word of God (John 1:1-3,14), the Lamb of God (John 1:29, 36), the Mediator with God (Romans 8:34; Ephesians 2:16-18); the Eternal High Priest (Hebrews 12:24;.1 Timothy 2:5), and the King of the Universe (Ephesians 1:21-22).
THE MISSION OF THE MESSIAH
‘’At that time I will choose as king a righteous descendant of David. That king will do what is right and just throughout the land. The people of Judah and of Jerusalem will be rescued and will live in safety. The city will be called ‘’The LORD our Salvation’’’’ (Jeremiah 33:15-16)
‘’The Sovereign LORD is coming to rule with power, bringing with him the people he has rescued. He will take care of his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs together and carry them in his arms; he will gently lead their mothers’’ (Isaiah 40:10-11)
The mission of the Messiah, as stated in the scriptures above, consists essentially to bring and establish righteousness, justice, peace and wellbeing in the world. And, In fact, he has already accomplished this mission through his incarnation, ministry on earth, passion and death on the Cross, resurrection from death, and ascension into heaven (1Corinthians 15:2-4). There he is enthroned as the Eternal High Priest and Mediator with the Father (Hebrews 12:24; Romans 8:34). The question, then, is: how do the rewards of Christ’s salvation flow into the Church?
SALVATION IS IN THE CHURCH
The following instruments are the channels through which Salvation is made manifest in the Catholic Church to all who believe and act in the faith of the Church.
1. The Liturgy of the Word
The Word of God is God; he is the giver of life and light; he cleanses and renews everything (John 1:1-5, 14; 6:63; 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:17)
2. The Administration of the Sacraments
The sacraments are the external signs (seals) of the internal graces of God's salvation given to the chosen ones; that is, the believers (Ezekiel 9:3-4, 6; Revelation 7:2-3)
3. The Sacrifice of the Holy Mass
The Holy Mass is the memorial of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ - the eternal sacrifice to take away the sins of individuals and those of the world (Luke 22:19-20).
4. The Eucharistic Communion
At the sacrifice of the Mass bread and wine is changed, by the mystical process of transubstantiation, in to the body and blood of Jesus Christ which gives eternal life to those who partake in it (John 6:51-55).
5. The Work of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit comes to vivify, sanctify, inspire and empower the Church and the believers; for them to live the life of God in the world and to accomplish his will on earth (Acts 2:1-5).
6. The Ministry of the Priests
The priests are the successors of Apostles to whom Jesus Christ gave authority to forgives sins (John 20:21-23) and to offer the sacrifice of the Holy Mass (Luke 22:19-20). They also administer the sacraments, and manage both the spiritual and the material goods of the Church; in persona Christi (for Christ, and in his name).
7. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
Jesus Christ is physically present in the Blessed Sacrament in the specimen of his body and blood. Through adoration you encounter him to submit and surrender yourself, as well as the burdens of your life (John 6:35; Matthew 11:28).
8. Christian Fellowship
Jesus Christ is always present, and working to save believers when they gather together (Hebrews 10:25) in congregations, prayer groups and small Christian communities (Matthew 18:19 - 20).
9. The Intercession of the Virgin Mary
The Virgin Mary, as the Mother of the Messiah, is also the Mother of the Church - all those who believe in Christ and obey his teachings (Revelation 12:17). In that capacity she intercedes permanently with Christ for the Church, and for those who need or seek more grace (John 2:1-10).
(TO BE CONTINUED)
Check In for the Next Post :
THE MESSIAH IS COMING - 2: PREPARATION
Author: Aying Godman is a Catechist, Evangelist & Writer, from the Catholic Archdiocese of Douala in Cameroon.
Email: ayinggodman@gmail.com
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