Advent

December has got to be my favorite month, ever! I think I've already babbled enough in the past about how December is special to me. In terms of the liturgical year, Advent of course would top my list. :)

It's already the 2nd Sunday of Advent, and today's second reading was something that's struck me time and again. I think some 4 or 5 years ago I wrote a Lenten letter to my family and friends, which is essentially the message of the second reading (2 Peter 3:8-14):

The Lord is not slow about his promise as some count slowness, but is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

It's kind of interesting how being in another country, you get to see how much is faith a part of other people's lives. I can't generalize because in all 4 countries I've lived in, I've met people who practice their faith, and people who couldn't care less about any religious beliefs or whatnot. I remember one conversation I had with someone from the center where I used to attend doctrine classes. She asked me if my parents and relatives were practicing Catholics. I was taken aback a little, but it's almost like a realization that there are people who are Catholic by name but do not practice the faith's teachings, some of them close to me and people I care about dearly. That's partly the reason I wrote that Lenten letter. I know I'm probably not the poster child for piety or best behavior, but I wanted to reach out to my family and close friends, hoping that my letter would somehow make them contemplate about life a bit. I also wanted to stress how we're always given a chance to reconcile ourselves to God, that confession is such a great sacrament which we can avail of anytime, and that we only need to be humble and truly sorry.

I'm gonna get sidetracked a bit here but now that I mention the center, I just recalled a certain moment in high school, when my adviser was trying to talk me into not choosing UP for college. It's funny how stereotypes work and don't work. The University of the Philippines, as most people know, is a public school (I'm not updated but at least it was in my time) that doesn't have theology in its curriculum, and where aetheist organizations are allowed to thrive. My adviser in high school told me upon learning that I passed in UP, that I should go to Ateneo instead and that she'd prefer UST over UP. Primarily because these schools are Catholic universities. I couldn't really understand her logic, because a) I got into my top choice of school (subsidized tuition, top notch teachers, 30 minutes from home, the list goes on), and b) I got into a quota course, civil engineering, which was my first choice. I couldn't really pass of up on that, hey? I guess I've always had an idea why she didn't like UP (and she probably meant well), but my point here is: choosing UP was one of the best decisions I've made. I got into the profession I love and more importantly, I've met people who had helped me reinforce my faith, especially people from Opus Dei centers who helped with my Christian formation.

Back to the second reading, I must say I probably needed to hear it, especially the part on how the Lord is being patient with us and always giving us time to repent. It's a great gift, one that I hope not to take for granted.

Advent really is such a wonderful time to reflect on what we've been given and what we're willing to give back. Have a blessed meaningful Advent season! :)