In addition to the two comings of Christ – His birth some 2,000 years ago and His second coming at the Last Judgement – there is also a “third coming” which believers should realise. This is the fact that Jesus is present to His followers in the here and now, and one should take hope at this realisation.
Jesuit Father Jerome Leon made this point at a one-day Advent retreat on Nov 30, the First Sunday of Advent. Some 30 Catholics from across the Singapore Archdiocese attended the retreat which was held at the Kingsmead Centre of the Jesuit-run Church of Saint Ignatius. The event focused on Hope, the theme for the First Sunday of Advent.
Father Leon told participants that people very often worry about the past or the future. Many find it hard to be centred in the present. However, Jesus is always present to His people in the here and now and this is something that believers should realise.
During the retreat, Father Leon urged retreatants to reflect on the hope-filled messages contained in Luke’s account of the foretelling of the birth of John the Baptist, Archangel Gabriel’s annunciation to Mary that she would give birth to the Messiah, Mary’s visit to Elizabeth, Mary’s Magnificat and the two disciples’ journey to Emmaus in which Jesus appeared to them.
Retreatants were also invited to contemplate on the significant events they experienced in their faith journey in 2025 and to look forward to 2026 with hope. “In what area of my life is God inviting me to change and grow?” asked Father Leon in one of the reflection questions posed to retreatants.
During the retreat, participants also took part in a guided Examen, a spiritual reflection on the events of the day. During their personal prayer time, participants had the opportunity to pray in the centre’s adoration chapel and take prayerful walks amidst the lush greenery of the centre’s gardens. Father Leon also set aside time to give spiritual direction and the Sacrament of Reconciliation to retreatants.
Retreatant Stephen Tan, 53, said he found the retreat an insightful spiritual experience, especially Father Leon’s remark that Jesus also comes to His people in the “here and now”.
“I think I need to continue to be aware (of this) … so that I can enjoy the present and not be worried about the future or regret the past,” he said.
