December 4, 2022 WORD Reflection Second Sunday of Advent

The "anawim" longed for justice and peace as they await the Messiah.

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WORD

“For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out, and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.

He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor; the lives of the poor he shall save.”

Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

(from the Responsorial Psalm)

OBSERVE

The “Anawim” is described as the “poor ones who remained faithful to God in times of difficulties.

“Blessed are the poor for theirs is the Kingdom of God” (Matthew and Luke).

“Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who do his commands; seek righteousness, seek humility” (Zephaniah 2,3).

There are two elements or requisites in being considered as “anawim” namely those who are poor and are faithful to God.

Those who are poor but are not faithful to God are not anawim because they are not righteous.

Those who are faithful to God but are powerful and wealthy are not anawim because they have power to defend themselves.

Only those who are both poor and faithful to God are considered the anawim.

For the anawim, the promise of the coming of the Messiah offers them comfort because in the Messiah they have someone who will provide and support them.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, your people longed for the Messiah because in his time justice and peace will flourish in the land.

When leaders are truly concerned for the welfare of the people there is peace and security.

Send forth leaders who will embody real concern for the poor and marginalized.

Leaders who are real shepherds to the people who seeks comfort in knowing that you are God.

May our leaders be like Jesus, who loves the poor and the needy. Amen.

DISCERN

When those in the leadership are righteous, then there is peace and justice.

However, the poor has become class of people who have been made subjects of “slogans” and political propaganda, but they remained marginalized and neglected.

This is the reason why the Church in the Philippines during the Second Plenary Council has declared itself as a “Church of the Poor” and a “Community of Disciples.”

Nowadays, this branding is gone.

Instead, what you can hear is all about being a “Listening Church.”

Are the poor once again forgotten and neglected?

With this kind of question, your answer is as good as mine since both the affirmative and negative side will have its own reasons.

Let us ask ourselves, in our programs and activities where are the poor?

What are occupies our attention and where do we expend our energies?

Do we provide the poor and the marginalized with solace and comfort?

Or do they remained once again neglected and forgotten?

Remembered only during elections and Christmas season...