Sharing in the Vocation of John the Baptist: Homily of 23rd December by Fr. Isaac Chima
The answer to their speculation about
the future of John the Baptist was provided in the first reading. The prophet Malachi
said, Behold, I will send the prophet Elijah before the great and terrible day
of the Lord comes: he will convert the hearts of the fathers to the children
and the hearts of the children to the fathers, so that when I come, I will not
strike the earth with extermination.
That was the vocation of John to the
Messiah who is to come. In likewise manner, every Christian has a task to fulfil
for the coming of Christ this Christmas. The prophet Isaiah said, prepare a way
for the Lord, make his path straight. This is our own duty to Christ this
Christmas.
We have to start this preparation from
ourselves and then, extend it to others. We have the duty to pull down whatever will prevent
us from experiencing the joy of Christmas: anger, hatred, jealousy, lust, pride
etc.
We also have the duty to assist our
neighbours to prepare for the coming of Christ, just as John the Baptist did
for the people of Israel. Let us tell them to change their ways of sin so that
the joy of Christmas will be theirs.
Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima.
University of the Holy Cross, Rome
Image from: John the Baptist - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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