As we continue our Advent journey, moving into the second week of that season, we encounter one of the main figures of Advent, John the Baptist. In this Sunday’s Gospel we hear him proclaim, “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.” (Mt. 3:2) 

Many do not realize that there are several layers of meaning for Advent. Of course we are preparing for Christmas, but we are also looking ahead to the second coming of the Lord and likewise realizing that the kingdom of God is among us, even now.

Through Unbound, the kingdom of God bursts forth in the lives of people who receive the news that they are being sponsored. Advent is a season of waiting for the coming of the Lord and his kingdom. Surely the Lord bursts forth in the lives of our sponsored friends who have been waiting in hope for the good news of sponsorship.

In today’s first reading from Isaiah we are told that the coming Messiah “will judge the poor with justice,” (Isaiah 11:4), a message that resonates in the responsorial psalm as well. I believe that Unbound is a community that the Lord uses to lift up the poor, not only by helping them materially, but also by believing in them.

Several years ago, I had the opportunity to visit El Salvador and see firsthand how this works. A young mother with her 5-year-old child on her lap, lifted up his feet which were sporting new shoes. She expressed her gratitude for his sponsorship in a wonderful way, not only being thankful for the money which made the shoes possible, but also adding, “Thank you for trusting that we know what is best for our children.”

For that mother and her son — and for countless other sponsored friends — the kingdom of God is among them, even now.

Loving God, as we prepare to celebrate the birth of your Son Jesus, and as we await his second coming, may we open our eyes and see how your kingdom is among us now in many small but wonderful ways. Help us, Lord, to continue to be instruments of your love and peace and agents of your kingdom in this world. Amen.