THIS SUNDAY IS the first Sunday of Advent, a time when we are reminded to prepare for the second coming of Christ, when the Church celebrates the liturgy, “she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation for the Saviour’s first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for his second coming/”
The theme this Sunday is “Awake”. To be awake, is to be attentive and be prepared, for none of us knows when will Christ return. We should examine our daily life, care for ourselves, our family members, our friends and people in need. More importantly, we should build up a good relationship with God.
Since the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic came upon us at the beginning of the year, we have a new experience and understanding of what this means. Tight precautionary measures against the spread of the virus have been implemented around the world and we are anxious and disturbed. We cancel gatherings with friends and, with social distancing measures we are confronted with a different social life. Even the Church had to suspend public Masses and go online.
Many things we have been used to doing, or that we viewed as ordinary and normal had ground to a halt. On the other hand, many new experiences have come to the fore, for example online schooling and working from home. We are reminded that life is full of challenges and full of new possibilities, and that we need to keep our focus on Jesus Christ.
In his pastoral letter for Advent, John Cardinal Tong, the apostolic administrator of Hong Kong, wrote that the diocese is taking “pastoral renewal” as its theme for the coming year.
Actually, parishes in the city have already been going through a renewal in view of Covid-19. With public Masses suspended, they had to consider how to sustain worship and prayer, find ways to maintain community life, after religious group activities were adjourned. They have been making efforts, within the bounds of pandemic restrictions, to provide charity services to the needy. Many people have contributed in making their spiritual home, the parish, shine for Christ in this difficult time.
This process of renewal should continue. Not just because Covid-19 is still around, but because because we need to always stay awake and prepare to renew ourselves in order to read the signs of the times and meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world and the needs of our neighbours.
Let us answer the call in Cardinal Tong’s pastoral letter, to seriously study the issue of parish renewal, identify a new model to nourish and sustain parish life, as well as embrace the spirit of synodality. SE
