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I Can Only Imagine
Do you ever wonder what the world would be like if there was total peace. Can you imagine what this would look like, or feel like. I believe this is what we are called to do today. To use our imagination as we await Christ's birth and anticipate his second coming.
Some of you may or may not have heard of the artist, mercyme. They sing the song, "I Can Only Imagine," (It is from the C/D almost there)
They speak about imagining just what it will be like to be in the presence of the Lord Jesus in all his glory in heaven. This is a perfect song for the Season of Advent as it offers reflective thoughts on the promised second coming of Jesus.
I CAN ONLY IMAGINE (Lyrics)
By mercyme
I can only imagine what it will be like
When Your face is before me When I walk by Your side
I can only imagine what my eyes will see
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for You Jesus?
Or in awe of You be still?
Will I stand in Your presence?
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah?
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
I can only imagine when that day comes
And I find myself standing in the Son
I can only imagine when all I will do
Is forever, forever worship You
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever, forever worship You
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
In the first reading from Micah, the prophet speaks for the Lord to his people. He tells them to imagine and to believe that God is faithful and that God will provide. He will deliver on his promise and will send them the promised Messiah. The prophet tells them to imagine what seems to be most unlikely: ''You, Bethlehem-Ephratha, ...from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel." The prophet says that the Messiah, God, will send, will stand firm and shepherd the people. He will do this by the strength of the Lord. He shall be Peace-something that they so longed for in their hearts.
In the Gospel from Luke we hear how the promised Messiah impacted the world while still in Mary's womb. Mary travels to Judah to be of service to Elizabeth. We can scarcely imagine what it was like for Mary to travel in those days. It is also difficult to imagine Mary's joy at reaching the home of Zechariah and Elizabeth. Imagine Elizabeth's feelings when her baby leapt in her womb. Imagine Mary's reaction when she heard Elizabeth say, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb." We need to take time to reflect on the past, the present and the future. Think about God's faithfulness in fulfilling the promise to send a Messiah to save the world. Reflect on how it must have been for the chosen people to hear that their Messiah was coming, for Mary to hear the angel's message, and for Elizabeth to have the mother of the Lord come to her. Reflect on tomorrow's celebration when we remember that "the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." Realize how your life is changed because of Jesus' birth. Imagine how it will be to rejoice in his presence for all eternity.
Each year as we celebrate the Season of Advent, we long for the coming of the Lord Jesus. We look forward to the Feast of Christmas when the Son of God came to save us. The church invites us to look forward to his final coming in glory when all creation and all history will come to its fulfillment in the very presence of God. It is the perfect time to let the wondrous mystery of God's love sink deeply into our hearts. And now we
might think again of the words of mercyme with which we began this homily.
"Surrounded by your glory/ What will my heart feel?/ Will I dance for you Jesus?/ Or in awe of you be still?/ Will I stand in your presence?/ Or to my knees will I fall?/ Will I sing hallelujah?/ Will I be able to speak at all?/ I can only imagine.! I can only imagine."