In his homily for the third Sunday of Advent, Father Michael reflects on the concept of being 'sent' by God, as mentioned in John's Gospel (1:6-8, 19-28), especially in relation to John the Baptist. He emphasizes that our existence is intentional and purposeful, in contrast to the belief that our presence in the world is random and meaningless, a viewpoint he attributes to the prevalent cultural attitudes influenced by philosophical thoughts like those of Martin Heidegger and the lyrics of The Doors' song 'Riders on the Storm.'
Father Michael argues against the notion of 'thrownness' suggested by Heidegger and The Doors, which implies that our existence is without intrinsic meaning or purpose and that any meaning must be self-made. Instead, he draws on the words of Isaiah (Chapter 52, verses 7-8) to assert that we are part of a world created with meaning and purpose originating in love, spelled with a capital 'L.' This love brings us into being, supports us, and seeks to enter the world through us.
He acknowledges that there may be times when the world seems to lack meaning or purpose and may even appear absurd. During such dark times, he suggests that one good reason for immersing ourselves in God through personal prayer, liturgy, and loving actions is to sustain us, reminding us that we are loved by God even if we don't always feel it. Father Michael reassures that the good news of God's love and the purpose of our existence remains constant, regardless of our personal sentiments or doubts.
