DAILY HOMILIES

What is Christmas? God stooped low to our level. He came not as a warrior but as a baby – humility. Learn to forget your wealth, decrees and qualifications and try to stoop low to help as many people as you can. Then you will be truly be celebrating Christmas.

he role of Joseph in the life of Jesus proves that every child needs a father; one who is there to provide, protect and train. Today is another day to say a big thank you to our Fathers; the men who were there for us from cradle, the men who bore the harsh heat of the sun and worked all day just to put food on our tables, the men who were our first teachers in the faith, the men who disciplined us when we went astray.

In all of these, one can see that there is a need for parents to impart blessings into the life of their children. Do not use nasty words on your children no matter how bad they hurt your feelings by their childish ways. Keep blessing them, keep calling them good names.

On the other hand, for Jesus to say that John the Baptist is not as great as the least person in heaven, clearly indicates that heaven is not an easy place. It means I must do my very best to live a good life. No wonder Jesus asserted in Luke 13:24 “Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.”

Dear friends, if actions speak louder than words, we are called to examine for ourselves today what sort of things our actions are proclaiming about us?

In the final analysis, it is not our past that counts before God. If as Jesus noted, tax collectors and harlots were making their way into the kingdom of God before the chief priests, it means that your case is not yet hopeless!

Do not be so glued to social media, spend time with real human beings, mend broken fences, forgive past hurts, and the peace of God, which passes all understanding will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Can we then say that John the Baptist is a reincarnation of Elijah? Certainly No. John the Baptist was completely different from Elijah, but with the kind of life he lived, he became a perfect representation of Elijah and helped to fulfill the prophecy about the return of Elijah.

Trust God, take the hard road, harken to His commandments and your peace would be like a river. The only reward of sin is death.

When you feel scared at any time, take it as a reminder to find a quiet corner and say a prayer to God. Remind Him that He promised to help, then visualize a positive outcome. Hold on as strongly as you can to this new outcome and watch God bring it to pass. Let your Faith counter your Fears.

In celebrating Mary’s Immaculate Conception, we are reminded that there is no limit to what God can do in us and through us if only we allow God to have His way in our lives by doing His will; that is, by saying “Yes” just as Mary said: “I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38). We utter our “yes” to God by living a life that is holy and blameless.