God's good will for humanity
‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’
—Luke 2:14
The biblical verse that leads this reflection contains the angelic song with which the heavenly hosts celebrated the great event that they announced at that time: the birth of Jesus.
The verse, after knowing its context, can be divided into two parts: 1) Recognition of the divine glory in the event that was announced. 2) Remembrance that this was a sign of the good will with which God looks at humanity.
Since this year we have been forced to celebrate Advent and Christmas in a different way, in confinement and with many limitations, it is necessary to return to this text, since in it is precisely what we need in a time like this.
Seeing our celebrations impacted by the pandemic we have realized that all glory is of God, that human beingsare dust before him. We have been reminded again that there is no man or woman, no animal, and nothing that is beyond the reach of God.
Without a doubt, God does not want human beings to suffer, nor do we believe that he has sent COVID-19 to punish us, but neither can we deny that humanity has turned its back on its creator, therefore, this scare has reminded us that the glory belongs to God.
On the other hand, when we see that the text speaks of peace and good will for humanity, we are filled with hope. We remember that God sent his son as a sign of God’s desire to be in touch with us.
This time is also suitable to return to the source of peace and hope: God. It is the exact moment to raise our faces again, to ask forgiveness for our sins, and to take back the peace and hope that comes to us from heaven.
God has always known of our fragility and sin, all life has been aware of our infidelity to God, yet God has maintained God’s good will for us. God has wanted to continue to make us participants in God’s peace.
May God grant that when we are with family or in the loneliness of some estrangement imposed by the pandemic that we may return to the God on High and accept God’s good will and peace for ourselves.
—Rev. Jeremiah Brafett Johnson, M.A.
Pastor, Teacher, Principal
Pastor, Teacher, Principal