4^th Sunday of Advent, Year C: Homily by Fr. Isaac Chima

Theme: God fulfils his promises even through unworthy instruments.

Readings: Mic 5:1-4a; Heb 10:5-10; Lk 1:39-45

Dear friends in Christ, as we draw closer to Christmas, the church, through the readings of today, invites us to focus on the channels through which God fulfilled His promise of the Emmanuel to us. These readings also inform us that God will always fulfil his promise to us if we look upon Him with the eye of faith.

The prophet Isaiah in chapter 55 verse 8 told us that God’s ways are not our ways. Often, the ways of God defy the socially accepted ways of men. We have noticed that the ways of men have always been to accord places of honor to the rich and also to count the rich before counting the poor. Sometimes, we also think that God will also follow that same logic of men in favouring the rich before the poor. But, as it is, the ways of God are different from the ways of men. Many times, God chooses the poor and the weak in the place of the rich and the strong to teach us some values. A vivid illustration of this is in the anointing of David as king of Israel.  

In today’s first reading, the divine choice of the weak and the poor was evident. There were twelve tribes in Israel, each of them had big clans, but God chose the smallest of all the clans to bring forth the eternal king of Israel; God decided to give the whole of Israel a king from the smallest of the clans of Israel, the clan of Bethlehem.

This divine choice of the weak and the poor is also seen in the gospel of today in the choice of Mary as the mother of the Saviour. Of all the queens, princesses, wealthy ladies, and wealthy families in Israel, God decided to choose Mary, a poor lady, a lady without a history and public recognition, a lady without a husband, to be the mother of His only Son.

These two vivid examples of God’s choice tell us that God’s blessings are not for the rich alone; they are not only for the strong; they are not also for the beautiful alone, nor are they only for the publicly recognized entities of our society. They tell us that our God also has a special option for the poor. In His Magnanimity, God also favours the poor, the weak, and the ugly; He is the God of us all. He often chooses the poor, the weak, and the ugly to teach us not to despise these people as we organize our society and family affairs and also to demonstrate to us that His blessings are gratuitous; they do not come because of human merits. Thus, God can choose anyone for the manifestation of His glory. He can choose you; He can also choose me.

Another lesson we can extract from the first reading and the gospel of today is that God’s promise will always be fulfilled, no matter how slim the chances of its fulfilment are. The prophet Micah prophesied in Israel between the years 740 and 787 BC; that was during the reign of king Jotham. Between the prophecy of Micah about the choice of Bethlehem for the birth of Christ and its fulfilment, there was a period of great difficulties, slavery, suffering, and destruction of Israel by her enemies on two occasions, in the year 721 BC and in the year 586 BC. Also, before the birth of John, there was a long time of barrenness in the life of Zechariah and Elizabeth, despite Zechariah’s active priestly service in God’s house. But at the end, the promise of God was fulfilled in these two cases.

Sometimes, difficulties force us to think that God’s promises can never be fulfilled in our lives. Often, the number of years of suffering and pain pushes us to believe that we have been abandoned by God or that God’s words are in vain, but the stories in the first reading and the gospel of today teach us not to lose hope in God and His promises. God’s promises may take days or years to be fulfilled, but the truth is that it must surely be fulfilled. So, no one should allow the difficulties of this life to lead him/her into sin.

The second reading of today from the letter to the Hebrews opened to us the humility of Jesus Christ before the plan of God the Father, Christ’s humble submission to do the will of His Father. It invites us to be ready and obedient to God, as Jesus was, so that God can manifest His love even through our weaknesses.

Another lesson for this Sunday comes from the visitation of Mary to Elizabeth as we read in the gospel of today. In that visit, the child in the womb of Mary encountered the child in the womb of Elizabeth when Mary greeted Elizabeth, and both Elizabeth and the child in her womb were filled with joy. As you all know, Christmas is a time of visits: it is a time that God visits us and also a time that we visit our friends and families. What Mary did in the gospel of today remains a challenge to us as we visit other people this Christmas. Jesus visited Mary, and she carried Him to her sister, Elizabeth. Let us also take Jesus to other people this Christmas through our visits. Let our visits have the capacity of throwing other people into joy. Let us allow the Christ in us to encounter the problems of those we visit this Christmas, so that they will have a reason to smile, a reason to be filled with joy. Let us open ourselves to them just as Mary opened her arms and embraced Elizabeth, so that the joy of Christmas will wipe away their sorrows. Let us share our joys with them as we visit them. 

Peace be with you.

Rev. Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima

 4^TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR C: REFLECTION BY FR. JULIAN EKEH

THEME: MARY: A CHANNEL OF BLESSING

(Luke 1:39-45)

On this last Sunday of Advent, as we draw close to the birth of Mary's Boy Child, we are presented with the image of the little Bethlehem chosen by God to be where the ruler will come from. In a special way, we have the image of the humble mother of the Saviour, who became an instrument of divine favours and blessings to humanity. Let her be an inspiration for us as we put finishing touches on our preparations to celebrate the Nativity of Christ.

Mary was visited by the angel of God. Mary visits Elizabeth and becomes an angel (Godsent, Chizitere) to her. Mary was favoured by the visit of the Angel. Mary favours Elizabeth by her visit to her. Mary was celebrated by the heavenly beings at Annunciation. Today, Mary goes to celebrate Elizabeth by her Holy Visitation. Mary becomes the tabernacle and the monstrance. In the tabernacle, Christ is reverently preserved for adoration, from the monstrance Christ blesses His people. Mary rejoices that the blessing is not for her alone but a blessing made to be shared. Mary is gladdened by the fact that God did not remember her alone but remembered Elizabeth, too. Mary knew that she had been blessed more and was more advantaged than Elizabeth because age was no longer on her side, and so she did not hesitate to arise and offer help. She took the necessary things she needed to assist her kinswoman and spent enough time with her.

Mary's entrance into that Elizabeth's home brought joy, Elizabeth rejoiced greatly, John rejoiced in the womb, Elizabeth felt greatly honoured, and she was filled with joy and motivated to move on.

 

OUR TAKE-HOME

REACH OUT

This is a season of reaching out. Remember others in need of help. With the little you have put smile on faces. Have a plan for those you are better than.

 

GO WITH JOY

What do you travel home with this period?  How do people feel when they look out and see you coming in? After packing their belongings some people also pack some troubles to share in the village and families. Dearest in Christ, pack joy, happiness, peace, love, and blessings.

 

DON'T BE JEALOUS AND SELFISH

Some who do not have are jealous of those they think have it all. Thank God for them. The same God that blessed Mary also blessed Elizabeth. Your blessing is on the way. Remain good, making good efforts. For those who are already blessed; never think blessing fits only your family. No. Others deserve it, too. Be a point of contact for them. Connect them to success and be glad when they climb the ladder of success.

 

PRAYERS

May God remember each and every one of us and bestow upon us as individuals and community with what we need most spiritually, physically, morally, economically, politically, socially, and so on and forth. May Mary's intersessions touch God to bless us through Christ our Lord. Amen

God bless your Saturday (4th Sunday of Advent, Yr C)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 3^rd Sunday of Advent, Year C (Gaudete Sunday): Homily by Fr Isaac Chima

Theme: Be joyful; make others joyful too

Reading: Zeph. 3:14-18a; Phil. 4:4-7; Lk. 3:10-18

Dear friends in Christ, the liturgical name of this Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent, is Gaudete Sunday, which means ‘Joyful Sunday.’ The term Gaudete comes from the Latin word “Gaudere,” meaning to rejoice, to be glad. Gaudete is the second person plural present active imperative  of Gaudere. Gaudete Sunday falls between eight to thirteen days before Christmas. This term “Gaudete” is taken from today’s Entrance Antiphon: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near” (Phil 4:4).

As we draw closer to Christmas, the Church invites us to rejoice because God is about to fulfil his promise to us; God is about to manifest His presence in our midst through His Son, Emmanuel, God is with us. However, the joyful mood of this Sunday does not mean we have come to the end of our preparation for Christmas. Instead, it comes as a way of urging us to be more focused and courageous. It is also a way of assuring us that our preparations shall soon be rewarded with the manifestation of Christ. Indeed, dear friends, Advent is a time of joyful expectation and eager preparation for Christmas.

The readings of today succinctly captured this festive mood of joy. They exhort us to be happy and joyful as we wait for the Lord’s coming. The first reading began this way: “Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem!” The psalm said: “Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.” The second reading started by saying: “Brothers and sisters, Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!” And the Gospel said: ^“people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ.”

However, dear friends, taking a closer look at the present situation of our world, people may ask why we should rejoice. They may say, “what is there to rejoice for?” Some may say, “in the midst of the economic hardships and the wars that have ravaged many countries and made life difficult for many people, what is there to rejoice about?” Indeed, the world appears to be a theatre of new problems every day; each day comes with fresh troubles that no one knows when they will be solved.

The existential background of the first reading of today may have also raised questions and doubts in the mind of those who received the message of the prophet Zephaniah. The prophet Zephaniah prophesied between 640 and 609 BC. That time, Assyria was the dominant power and spread the worship of her gods throughout the Ancient Near East with military might; she was going from country to country, conquering nations and subjecting their people under her rule and religion. Already, Northern Israel had fallen under her power and the King of Assyria had sent a warning to Southern Israel, that is Judah, that her King and her God can’t save them.

It was in the midst of the fear of the Assyrian invasion - just as many of us are living in fear of the many forces of this world - that the prophet Zephaniah asked the people of Israel to rejoice and be glad. His reason was that their God was coming to participate in their history; He was coming to protect them from the forces of the Assyrians. This message is also directed to us today, dear friends, in our different worries and fears. The Church is telling us that our God is not far from us; He is near; He is already in our midst as the Emmanuel to participate in our history, to help us in our struggles.

The second reading of today also comes with another touching episode. When St. Paul wrote to the Philippians to rejoice, he was already in prison, covered with grief, facing maltreatment, and standing close to the date of his execution. In the midst of these sad stories that surrounded him, it was inner joy and the joyful expectation of meeting His Lord Jesus Christ that kept Paul strong. Joy in the Lord was the power that carried Paul through weaknesses, sorrows and difficulties. So, Paul could not but share this joy with his fellow Christians.

Dear friends, Paul teaches us that one of the ways to conquer the sorrows of this world is to focus on meeting Christ, an encounter that will erase the marks of the present suffering and hardship, for what no eye has seen, no ear has heard, is what God has prepared for those who love Him. Thus, if you are in difficulty, ask God to help you look beyond your immediate environment, so that you can discover the joyful presence of Christ. The joyful presence of Christ will help you to keep going where others are giving up.

To all of us who are joyfully waiting for the manifestation of Christ in our lives, John the Baptist has a challenge for us. In the gospel of today, John tells his audience and all of us not to allow our joyful mood to deprive other people of their own joy. In fact, he tells us to carry other people along as we rejoice. He challenges us to make those around us to feel our joyful mood. John called his audience in the gospel of today to be fair and just in their businesses and life affairs, so that other people around them will have a share of the joy of the Lord’s coming. He challenged them and us to put a stop to those actions which deprive others of their joy. To the tax collector, he said, “Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.” To the soldiers, he said, “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.”

It is obvious that the businesses of those John spoke to were depriving other people of their joy. Now, our question is this: is there anything I do which deprives other people of their God-given joy and happiness? Is it not true that to have a joyful Christmas, many business people hike the price of commodities in order to make excess gains for Christmas? Is it not true that during the Christmas season, transport fare jumps high? Is it not true that during Christmas season, robbery cases increase in many parts of our country? These and many more cases deprive many people of their joy. The remaining days of advent give us opportunities to amend our wicked ways.

John also challenges us to be generous to others.  He said, “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.” So, let us make other people partakers in our joy by sharing our gifts and food with them this Christmas. Let us seek out those who cannot have a worthy Christmas because of poverty and/or sickness and help them to have a reason to rejoice. 

Peace be with you.

Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima

 3^RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR C: REFLECTION BY FR. JULIAN EKEH

THEME: THE SECRET OF DIVINE JOY

(Luke 3:10-18)

Today is Gaudete Sunday. A Sunday when the Church bids us rejoice, when we listen to the voice of St. Paul telling us: Rejoice, I repeat Rejoice. 'Gaudete' is from the Latin root 'gaudere' meaning to rejoice. We are invited to be happy, to sing and shout in joy for the Holy One of Israel is in our midst.

This call to be happy may sound foolish, where there seems to be no reason to be happy. But the message is: Be happy in the midst of all circumstances because the Lord is in your midst. If God be for us, who can be against us? He comes as the Emmanuel to be with us, so we have reasons to rejoice. Let us, therefore, inquire today on what we need to do to be happy in the Lord.

 

COLLECTIVE AND INDIVIDUAL SEARCH FOR TRUE JOY

The soul of man is indeed hungry for a higher form of joy. In a world where many have resorted to different despicable things to be happy, in a society where drug abuse seem to serve as a way out of frustration and heartbreaks, in a situation where alcoholism, ritualism, drunkenness, harlotry are seen to be solutions to the instability and unhappiness ravaging the human person, God calls all and sundry to review the secret of true happiness, joy and peace.

In the Gospel of today we saw people who inquired to know the secret of joy in the Lord, how to find happiness in the Lord; they represent the people pictured by Psalm 4 with the following question in their mouth: what can bring us happiness? The above question was asked by many. In the Gospel of today, we see ALL the people asking a particular question: What do we do? This question was triggered by the frightening preaching of John the Baptist. Thanks be to God that the people wanted joy instead of the punishment due for their old lives. They decided to start producing the fruits of goodness. We are challenged to come as a people and address the forces stealing our collective joy, exposing us to massive pain, shame, sadness, and frustration. Let us also go as individuals to know what God wants us to do to really experience the joy He promised here and hereafter.

 

HERE IS THE MESSAGE

The word of God says: "I will hear what the Lord God has to say." The will of the Lord was revealed through John the Baptist, as He prepares the people to receive Christ defined as Joy to the world. He addresses us on the following:

 

BE CONTENTED

The Baptist's reply to them seem to show us why many of us are not happy. We are not happy because we are not satisfied with what God has made us to be; we would have loved to be like the other. We are not comfortable with what God has given us; We want to take that of another to make up. We are not happy with what God is doing in the life of the other; so we attack, frustrate, and destroy them. Joy comes from within. It is interesting that joy and contentment share the same root. To be happy is to be delighted by the lot marked out for you. Hence, the Psalmist declared: the lot marked out for me is my delight.

As an individual, you've got to rejoice for the lot marked out for you, the joy no force can take without your permission. Choose to be happy anyway.

Not minding what the circumstances around you are saying. The people in today's Gospel have been surrounded by threatening situations, but they chose to go for that, which attracts divine joy. You can't do without the joy that comes from the Lord. The joy of the Lord should be your strength. The enemy is never happy when you're happy. Be happy anyway.

 

QUIT EVIL HABITS

Jesus comes to do a new thing in our lives. He is coming as a newborn to renew our lives in His love.  We, too, have to do something for Him as He comes to do new things in us. We hand over to Him our old ways.

Let's like the groups of people in the Gospel today ask: What shall we do?

To those in the evil habit of stinginess, John said: Give, share, practice charity.

To the tax collectors in the evil habit of collecting more than expected, John insists: Stop collecting more than you should. Stop increasing prices in the name of Christmas. Stop causing heartbreaks. Do not steal the joy of others that yours may not be stolen.

To the soldiers and the police John says: Stop robbing and extorting!

Let's stop for God to begin. Let's stop evils in and around us for God to begin good in us. What's your own evil? My dearest in Christ, stop it. It will give you no true joy. Do the things that will lead you to joy everlasting.

DON'T BE WEIGHED DOWN

Family problems may have vowed to make you sad, Child of God, be glad. Hopelessness has forced you to believe that your joy is buried forever. It is not true. Rejoice!  Near success syndrome is convincing you to agree that you can never make it. Rejoice for by His Grace you can do all things.

Yes, rejoice for the coming of the Lord is nearer now.

MY PRAYER FOR YOU

The Lord is coming to give you joy. He is coming to bless You abundantly. He is coming to pleasantly surprise You and Your family. He comes to give you reasons to laugh again. Just be contented with what He has done for you and be rejoicing for what He is coming with. You're born to rejoice. May your joy as a person never be stolen. May your joy as a people never be hijacked. May God come to restore your family joy in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Rejoice in the Lord Alleluia.

Happy Gaudete Sunday

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 3^RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR C: HOMILY BY FR. JUSTIN ADIELE

THEME: “WHAT THEN SHALL WE DO?”

INTRODUCTION:

As we march rejoicing to the coming of the Christ at Christmas, we have to get our cards/acts right as many who came to John the Baptist today demanded for a clue. We all got to amend our ways no matter our work or status so that the coming of Christ would not bring us God’s condemnation, but God’s salvation.

 

THE FIRST READING (ZEPH. 3: 14 – 18)

In the first reading, we are called to start rejoicing already for our King is coming; to take away the judgments against us, to cast out our enemies, to take away our fears and weaknesses, to bring us victory and renewal in his love. This certainly calls for rejoicing. However, we must make sure that at the coming of our King, we do not make ourselves the enemies of ourselves, the enemies of our Christian brothers and sisters, or the enemies of God himself by our way of life.

 

THE SECOND READING (PHIL. 4: 4 – 7)

In the second reading again, St. Paul enjoined us to rejoice and quit every anxiety about anything. Many would increase their anxiety over so many things this period; trying to meet up one worldly target or the other and rob themselves of the joy of this season. Many would put themselves to overdrive this period trying to achieve what they were not able to achieve within eleven months in one month. Some would now become sad and forlorn, not because Christmas did not come, but because they were not able to meet their anxieties and vaulting ambitions.

 

THE GOSPEL READING (LK. 3: 10 – 18)

In the gospel reading, the multitudes which comprised of people of various social status (commons, soldiers, tax collectors, etc.) asked John the Baptist what they shall/must do to have a joyful Christmas. John the Baptist told many of them to simply share their goods (charity); collect no more than is due/appointed for them, rob no one by violence or by greed, and be content with your wages. The issue of contentment during the period of Christmas remains a matter of great concern for many. Many want to do more than themselves this period leading to more sorrows than joy.

 

CONCLUSION

What then shall we do to rejoice and attain joy at Christmas? Be contented, be charitable, be forgiving, and be clean in mind and actions. Little wonder all that came to John the Baptist this time accepted baptism or sanctification from their sinful past life. May we also purify ourselves this period, go for confessions, go for the sacraments and rightly await the coming of our Saviour King, Christ the Lord.

Happy Sunday!

Fr. Justin

https://chimaisaac.medium.com/3rd-sunday-of-advent-year-c-homily-by-fr-justin-adiele-df021bb9a183

 1^st Sunday of Advent, Year C: Homily by Fr. Isaac Chima

Theme: What we should do as we wait for Christ’s coming

Readings: Jer 33:14-16; 1 Thess 3:12-4:2; Lk 21:25-28,34-36

Dear friends in Christ, today marks the beginning of a New Year in the church (Year C) and a new season (the season of advent). Advent is a season of special preparation and expectation for the coming of Christ. It is a four-week preparation period leading up to Christmas.

In a special way, advent is a time that prepares us for the coming of Christ in three ways: first, it prepares us for the commemoration of the historical birth of Christ, that is, Jesus’ first coming in history as a baby in Bethlehem (Christmas); second, it is a time of preparation for Christ’s daily coming into our lives in mystery through the Sacraments, through the Bible, and through the worshipping community; and third, it is a preparation for Christ’s Second Coming (Parousia) at the end of the world to reward the just and to punish the wicked. It is a time that calls us to devote special time to penance, sacrifice, and prayer in preparation to receive Christ in our lives.

The term Advent comes from the Latin words ad-ventus and ad-venire, which simply mean “to arrive” or “to come,” respectively.” The three readings of today’s Mass speak of this coming. The first reading describes the coming of the upright branch from the family of David. The gospel speaks of the second coming of Jesus, the son of David. The second reading speaks of the kind of life people should live in expectation of the second coming of Christ.

After the reign of David, Israel was ruled by many kings who made life unbearable for the people. Under those kings, injustice, immorality, idolatry, lack of peace, and all manner of evil became the order of the day in the lives of Israelites. The awful situation created by those kings subjected the people to terrible hardships and suffering, and in most cases, enslavement. It was in the midst of Israel’s countless problems and misery that the prophet Jeremiah delivered the message of hope that we read in the first reading.

Jeremiah promised the people of Israel, who were thinking that they had been abandoned to suffer and die under evil kings, that their God would raise up for them a righteous king from the house of their great king David; a king whose reign will bring an end to injustice, immorality, slavery, and the many evils that threatened the lives of the people; a king whose reign will restore the people’s hope and bring back peace and prosperity; a king who will lead the people by example.

Dear friends, the Church is sending this same message of hope of the arrival of a righteous king, Jesus Christ, to all of us who are suffering from the terrible realities of the world, which include economic challenges, social unrest, family problems, health issues, and other personal problems. The Church reminds us that our God has not abandoned us; rather, He has already sent us His Son, Jesus Christ, who is coming to meet us again.

In today’s gospel, Luke reminds us that Christmas is not just a reminder of the coming of Christ in the flesh; rather, it is also a reminder that Christ will come in the Spirit at the end of time. He advises us to pay special attention to this second coming of Christ because it will be preceded by a catalogue of disasters, a terrific scenario that will instil fear in all humans. He warns that the apparent delay in the coming of this terrific end should not lead people to indulge in shameful lifestyles, thinking that it will never come, because that day will come as a surprise to every one. However, He urges everyone to look up in prayer and raise their heads high as they await the arrival of the last day. 

In today’s second reading, St. Paul gives us more details of what should keep us busy as we wait for the day of the coming of Jesus at Christmas and at the end of time. He says we should increase and abound in love for one another. St. Paul encourages those who are already involved in good acts of love and kindness in their communities to do more and more. Those who are lacking in acts of love and kindness are urged to wake up and do something good for God and humanity.

St. Paul did not fail to warn those who are waiting for the coming of Christ to desist from the current civilization and admiration of immoral and shameful lifestyles, a situation where people admire, praise, celebrate, and promote what they should be ashamed of. He says anyone who desires to meet Jesus when He returns must make holiness of life, a life that is unblemished, his priority.

Let us pray for the grace to live a life inspired by divine love rather than by immoral love as we prepare and wait for the coming of Christ.

Peace be with you.

Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima

 1^st SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR C: REFLECTION BY FR. JULIAN EKEH

THEME: CHRIST IS COMING TO MEET MAN

(Luke 21:25-28.34-36)

Today, the New Year of the Church begins. Today begins a New Season in our lives as Christians. Today is the First Sunday of Advent.

WHAT IS ADVENT?

Simply put, Advent is a word that derives from the Latin 'Adventus', which means coming, or arrival.  Advent is not applicable to any type of coming. It is the coming of a notable personality.

The Church uses the word "Advent" to talk about the Holy Season when her sons and daughters wait in joy for the coming of Jesus Christ. Thus, Christ is the Notable One we are expecting His coming. We are not just expecting any type of Man, we are solemnly, prayerfully, and watchfully celebrating the arrival of God himself, God who, for us, becomes man, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity.

This is a time for recall. When we call to mind are in a very special way, the fact that Christ had come in the flesh more than two thousand years ago.

It is a time for Thanksgiving. When we thank God for His coming daily in our lives, especially through His Word and the Holy Eucharist.

 

A TIME OF DIVINE EXPECTATION

During this season of Advent, we remember vividly the word of Christ "I am coming again." We therefore use this period to look back on how the people in the past waited for the Lord, draw a leaf from them while asking how they prepared for that first coming, we look forward to His second Coming which will involve each and everyone of us.

During this gracious time, therefore, we are to ask ourselves the expectations of the Lord who told us about His coming.

When a notable person is coming into our home as a guest, we make extra effort to live better than we used to. We inquire from those who received such personalities in the past to know how they went about it. We try to know what such a person eats. We ask their friends what irritates them in order to avoid such things. We put ourselves together to appear good before such a person. We remove things that are unnecessary. We decorate the whole place, make sure every place smells good. We try our best to make our revered guests feel welcomed, relaxed, and joyful.

During this period, therefore, we are called upon to know what God expects from us as He comes. We are to evaluate how ready we are to welcome Christ in our lives, the type of welcome we have given Him so far, and the impression Jesus gets at   His coming to see us. Jesus returns. Just as God returned to Adam and Eve in Eden, Jesus returns. Just as Moses returned to the people after His encounter with God on the mountain, Jesus comes back to us from the right hand of His Father. Are we running out to welcome Him, or shall we run away like Adam and Eve? Will He see us romancing with Baal when He extends hands for embrace?

This is the time of running out, a time of cleaning up, a time of making room for God in our lives. These are the expectations of God on us as we enter this New Year of the Church.

 

INSIGHT FROM THE GOSPEL

AMIDST FEAR THE LORD COMES AS A MAN

The Gospel presented first of all the fearful images that made the men wonder "what is coming into the world." That which was shaking the powers of the heavens.

In the middle of this turbulent situation, lo and behold, the Son of man was seen coming in a cloud with power and glory.

Alleluia! This is revealing. The Lord comes. No power stops Him. Even in the midst of your fears and humanness. The Lord comes with glory and power. He comes to strengthen the wearied parts of our lives. He comes to meet me in my weakness. He comes to meet me as I am shaking. He wishes that I answer even with my shivering body. He wants me to jump into His arms to receive His encouragement to move on, to receive corrections on the things I am not getting fine, to seek directions to remain on track. To keep preparing myself for the day He takes me to my eternal destiny to live with Him forever.

The coming of Christ therefore calls for holy fear; fear of being reprimanded by the God who loves us so much, the fear of losing the rewards in the hands of God who comes. Yes He comes with goodies. We should put our eyes on the blessings He comes to us with.

Let's not take His coming for granted. He came as a man to make men feel free and have free access to God. But many of them missed such a wonderful opportunity.

Let us not take this second coming for granted. May holy fear inspire our waiting. Let's raise our heads high above the causes of unholy fears, those things that make us unfit to embrace Christ, those things that make us feel embarrassed when God calls to tell us that He is coming, those things that make God feel embarrassed to be around us.

 

KEYS TO OPEN THE DOOR FOR THE ONE COMING

Jesus drops the keys we need to use as we expect His coming. The keys include constant watchfulness and prayers.

This season is a time to be awake. This implies that we use the weapon of holiness, meditation, and prayers to disallow dissipation, drunkenness, and cares of life from weighing us down spiritually. It is a season of spiritual ascent. Let's not allow the things of the world and the desires of our flesh to make us unable to run out to meet Christ this season.

May God bless His word in our hearts.

 

LET US PRAY

Almighty God, we thank You for the blessing of being numbered among those to long for the coming of Your Son. As we joyfully expect His coming in glory, help us to conquer our human frailties. Grant us the grace of hosting You well in our lives that You may host us too on the last day through Christ our Lord. Amen

Happy Sunday (First Sunday of Advent, Year C)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh