"ADVENTures" -Reflection Series of Rev. Fr. Bobby R. Titco for the Season of Advent (Reflection # 12)

ADVENTures 12

In the Old Testament, the glory of God was said to have departed from His People when His voice could no longer be heard. God was silent precisely because His glory was gone. For example, we read in 1 Sam 4:21-22 that when Eli died, his daughter-in-law, Phinehas by name, gave birth to a son whom she named “Ichabod”. In Hebrew, the word “Ichabod” literally means
“no glory”. Phinehas named her son “Ichabod” because the glory of God left Israel. Even before the Ark of the Covenant was stolen by the Philistines from the Israelites, 1 Sam 3:1 says that the glory of God was already departing from Israel: “In those days, the word of God was rarely heard; visions were very few.” Notice: first, God was quiet (1 Sam 3:1); then, He was completely gone (1 Sam 4:21-22). Thereupon, the glory of God disappeared from His People.

The silence of God was not only deafening; it also lasted for many, many years. Eventually not only was the voice of God unheard, the Ark of the Covenant was also stolen!

But the Prophet Ezekiel prophesied about the return of the Ark of the Covenant to the Temple in Jerusalem. As the Ark of the Covenant goes home, the Prophet said, so would the glory of God return to the house of Israel (Cf Ez 43:4-9).

This great prophecy started to come true with the appearance of John the Baptist who prepared the way for Jesus who is God’s glory Himself in our midst. Indeed, with John the Baptist – the voice crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way for the Lord, make His paths straight” – God broke His prolonged silence. The glory of God was returning. But God had an even greater plan: Himself would pitch His tent among us. Becoming one like us in all things except sin, God became flesh in the person of Jesus the Christ.

Advent is a time for us to examine IF GLORY OF GOD HAS DEPARTED FROM US. We ask not only if we still hear His voice but also if THE ARK OF OUR COVENANT/RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM REMAINS IN THE TEMPLE THAT IS OUR HEART.

THE GLORY OF GOD IS RETURNING TO YOU.

Be God's glory in the midst of His People!