DAILY HOMILIES #St. Paul

On the last day, we will be judged by the extent of love we show to others. (cf. Matthew 25:40-45). Bring joy to others. Be like Jesus in today’s Gospel passage, who said: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.” (Luke 4:18). Many are poor, held captive, and oppressed by various societal challenges. No one is without problems. Do not live only for yourself. While you are praying for a helper, you are the helper that others are praying for. Before asking for help from someone, ask how you can help them.

The wise men brought Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. This is Epiphany, a revelation of Jesus’ identity as KING, PRIEST, AND SAVIOUR of the world. Jesus had not yet begun to talk or walk when this occurred, yet it is clear to the world that He is God in human flesh. He rules as King with gold, sanctifies as a Priest with incense (which we still use today at Mass), and as Saviour of mankind. Jesus’ body was preserved with myrrh when he offered his life for our salvation.

God could have decided to come in another way, but because He wanted us to have a physical, flesh-and-blood connection with Him, He took flesh in the womb of a woman. This is to say that God became a son of man so that man can truly become the son of God. God chose to have a mother to show us how close He is to us. God wants us to have that feeling of warmth in His presence so that we see ourselves not just as slaves but as His children.

Zechariah prayed for many years for a child and did not get an answer. When the answer came, Zachariah forgot what he had been praying for. He felt that God had decided not to grant him any child. His doubt was evident to the Angel. What is it that I have been praying for? Have I reached a point of doubt? This reading should give me a rethink. God knows what He is doing.

Even after preparing Mary, God still allowed her to accept or reject His plan. Hence, He sent the Angel Gabriel to seek her consent by announcing that she would be His Mother. The fact that God has showered us with sure gifts and blessings does not remove our free will. God called you before you were born, but would not force you to say “Yes” to His call. God, who made you without your cooperation, will not save you without your cooperation.

As people drew near to John the Baptist, the religious leaders of the day arrived. John the Baptist called them a brood of vipers! Jesus later explained this further when he said: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which on the outside look beautiful, but inside they are full of the bones of the dead and of all kinds of filth.” (Matthew 23:27)

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.

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.

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.

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.

Being wealthy is not a sin, but when one’s wealth stems from rejecting God, such riches are worthless. If your income comes from disobeying God’s commandments, engaging in illegal activities, or even worse, taking lives, you have prioritised riches above God. It is better to be content with little than to find comfort in ill-got gains. It is preferable to face persecution than to risk losing your soul for money.