DAILY HOMILIES

While Isaiah describes God as the “rock” to illustrate His unshakable nature, Jesus uses the same word to show how unshakable we become when we obey His word. There is a link between trusting in God (the eternal Rock) and finding peace of mind (becoming like a Rock). Jesus says, “Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on rock.”

Things may appear very tough for you right now; you may have felt disappointed in God, the Church or its ministers for not meeting your expectations. Nevertheless, know that God has not changed; He is still Faithful and has not failed you yet. Christmas is a reminder that God has not yet given up on humankind.

During this season of Advent, we must continually purge ourselves of the corruption of pride. If God could bring Himself to our level to save us, how willing am I to come down to the level of my subordinates? How willing am I to acknowledge my nothingness before God, like the Roman Centurion who did not allow Jesus to come under his roof?

Prayer is never a one-way traffic. When we pray, we pour out our hearts completely to God, but we must also be attentive to His inspirations. The centurion listened to Jesus. He heard him saying, “I will come and heal him.” Most times, we don’t listen when we pray; our troubles weigh us down so much that we never hear God’s gentle voice, assuring us of His understanding and commitment to solving our problems. God has not stopped speaking today; we only need to be more watchful and attentive.

In St. Paul’s words, Advent is a time to “avoid drunkenness, licentiousness (anything goes), quarrelling, jealousy, and indulgence of the flesh.” As Isaiah states, this is a time to allow the mountain of the Lord to be established as the highest of the mountains. In other words, this is a time for us to pay more attention to the things of God, to put God first, and to talk about God, so that those living in darkness (those who think that there is no God) may, through our celebration, begin to recognise and worship God.

How can we rise above worries and the cares of life? Jesus tells us: “Watch at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place.” Prayer is the key to avoiding worry. When we don’t pray enough, we begin to carry unnecessary burdens. Remember that song: “What a friend we have in Jesus…” A line in that song says, “Oh, what needless pains we bear, all because we do not carry our burdens to Jesus.”

God is a king who can never be destroyed. He is greater than anything we can imagine or think of. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the one who made us and sustains our lives. Jesus assures us today, “Heaven and earth may pass away, but my words will not.” Let us renew our faith and confidence in Him daily, casting off our fear of evil spirits, for we know that no one is greater than God.

By “raising your head high”, Jesus wants us to remain faithful like Daniel, who refused to be intimidated by the threat of being fed to the lions. This is not the time to stay away from the church. This is not the time to relax in your prayer life. Prayer itself is power. Whether or not you get what you are asking for, learn to enjoy prayer. Cherish the moments you spend with God. Daniel went so far as to open his windows so that everyone could see clearly that he didn’t stop praying.

Belshazzar knew what those vessels were meant for, but he attempted to challenge God’s existence. This experience teaches us to avoid taking God for granted. The fact that God is silent does not mean He is weak. God is a merciful father; He is also a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:29 reads, “For our God is a consuming fire.” Deuteronomy 4:24 says, “For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.” Psalm 18:8 says, “Smoke rose from his nostrils, and consuming fire came from his mouth, burning coals blazed out of it.”

While Nebuchadnezzar’s dream was about the future, we also see Jesus, in our Gospel passage, discussing the future: the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem and the rise of many false prophets claiming they are the Christ. This teaches us one lesson: The only person who knows the future is the one who is already in the future – God. Humans can only guess based on calculations from the past.

The fact that “everybody is doing it” does not make it right. Stay true to your beliefs. By prioritising Him, God did not fail Daniel and his friends. Learn to give God His proper honour, and He will never let you down. Even if others mock or call you names, remain steadfast and different.

Amid the killings we are experiencing in our country today, someone asked me, “Where was Christ when some armed men went into a church in Kwara State during worship, killed three persons and kidnapped others? If Christ is king of the universe, can He not stop this violence in the country?” I answered, quoting the words of Christ, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” (John 18:36)