HOMILY FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD
Numbers 6:22-27/ Psalm 67/ Galatians 4:4-7/ Luke 2: 16-21
Agorsor Aaron Agbeshie
THEME: The Wonder of God
The title of "Mother of God" was first used by Elizabeth at Mary’s Visitation. At that moment, Elizabeth said, "And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me?" [Lk. 1:43] Elsewhere in the Holy Bible, we read that Mary is the Mother of Christ [Mt. 1:18-25] and that Jesus Christ is Lord and God. [Jn. 20:28] Consequently we can logically conclude that Mary is the Mother of God.
Mary’s Magnificat “ My soul magnifies the Lord, my spirit finds joy in God my saviour…God who is mighty has done great things for me , holy is his name; His mercy is from age to age on those who fear him…”( Luke 1:46-50). Indeed, God has done great things for Mary and this thought fills Mary’s heart today.
The Gospel reading says it all. When Mary saw even shepherds joyously repeating what the angels have told them, we are told that “ … Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart” ( Luke 2:19). Mary, as it were, was lost in deep contemplation. Words could not fathom what was being said about her Son, who is her saviour. Perhaps, Mary was asking herself whether the simple but difficult ‘Yes’ she said to God has become the source of this wonderment. Like hymn number 288 puts it beautifully, Mary was lost in wondering contemplation at what the shepherds were saying about the child Jesus.
During today's reading from the Gospel of Luke, [Lk. 2:15-21] we heard the words of the shepherds who said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." [Lk. 2:15] How many times have we Catholics repeated similar words? How many times have we said, "Let us go to the Church to hear the Word of God which has been made known to us." As the shepherds went to Bethlehem to adore Jesus in His physical body, you faithful believers come to Church to adore Jesus Who is physically present in the Sacred Tabernacle. Your acts of adoration are a continuation of the footsteps of the shepherds. Your children shall continue in these footsteps. And so will their children and their grand-children, etc... all for the glory of God.
When the shepherds returned, they glorified and praised God for all they had heard and seen, as it has been told them. They glorified and praised God for the fulfillment of the promises of the Old Testament, believing that through Jesus, the promised Messiah had finally arrived.
We too have much to glorify and praise God for. We praise and glorify God because we now know beyond any doubt that Jesus was the Messiah. He fulfilled the hundreds of Old Testament prophecies that were made regarding His coming. He died for us. On the third day, He resurrected. He sent His Spirit to teach and guide us. He instituted the Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church for our spiritual well-being.
We are also told that “Everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds had to say” (Luke 2:18). How astonished have we been who celebrate Christmas every year? Everything that God does always has a humble beginning. If we fail to recognize this fact, we will miss the opportunities that life offers us. We are invited to faith even in hopeless situations of our lives.
Faith and love could make the coming year, a promising one for all of us. It is easy to forget that Mary was above all a woman of faith. She left herself open to the possibilities of the call of God, no matter how incomprehensible it may be. Mary’s openness even included a call to be the Mother of God. “I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say” (Luke 1:38).
Mary’s faith in God did not mean that she did not ask questions: “How can this be since I do not know a man?” (Luke 1:34). Indeed, Mary did not understand when his Son says “Whoever does the will of my Father is my brother, sister and mother” (Mark 3:35). But Mary’s faith did not waver. As we are told, “Mary treasured all these things and reflected on them in her heart” (Luke 1:19).
The first day of the year is placed under the sign of a woman, Mary. The Evangelist Luke describes her as the silent Virgin who listens constantly to the eternal Word, who lives in the Word of God. Mary treasures in her heart the words that come from God and, piecing them together, she learns to understand them.
As we begin a new year, we are invited to see Mary as an epitome of faith; an example of our own approach to daily life. Faith will make it possible for us to see that “God who is mighty has done great things for us and also that God who is mighty will do greater things in and through us in this New Year. When the tempest rages around us, Mary will calm the troubled sea because she has gone through the tempest rages.
Indeed, it is only where God is seen does life truly begins; only when we meet the living God in Christ do we know what life is. We are not some casual and meaningless product of evolution. Each of us is the result of a thought of God. Each of us is willed; each of us is loved and each of us is necessary. As Pope Benedict XVI puts it beautifully, there is nothing more beautiful than to know him and to speak to others about our friendship with Him. Mary recognized in the infant Jesus, God and her Saviour. Therefore, she makes God known through her beautiful song, ‘The Magnificat’.
Mary recognized that her entire life was the gift of God and she uses that gift in magnifying God. So again, she is a model of gratitude. When we reflect on the wonder of God, we will as a matter of necessity always be grateful to God.
In sum, let us ponder anew what the almighty God has done, is doing and about to do. We need to count our blessings one by one and thank God in all we have gone through in 2010 whether good or bad. Let us too, at the school of Mary, learn to become attentive and docile disciples of the Lord. With her motherly help, let us commit ourselves to working enthusiastically in the "workshop" of peace, following Christ, the Prince of Peace.
Friday, December 31, 2010
HOMILY FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD
Numbers 6:22-27/ Psalm 67/ Galatians 4:4-7/ Luke 2: 16-21
Agorsor Aaron Agbeshie
THEME: The Wonder of God
The title of "Mother of God" was first used by Elizabeth at Mary’s Visitation. At that moment, Elizabeth said, "And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me?" [Lk. 1:43] Elsewhere in the Holy Bible, we read that Mary is the Mother of Christ [Mt. 1:18-25] and that Jesus Christ is Lord and God. [Jn. 20:28] Consequently we can logically conclude that Mary is the Mother of God.
Mary’s Magnificat “ My soul magnifies the Lord, my spirit finds joy in God my saviour…God who is mighty has done great things for me , holy is his name; His mercy is from age to age on those who fear him…”( Luke 1:46-50). Indeed, God has done great things for Mary and this thought fills Mary’s heart today.
The Gospel reading says it all. When Mary saw even shepherds joyously repeating what the angels have told them, we are told that “ … Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart” ( Luke 2:19). Mary, as it were, was lost in deep contemplation. Words could not fathom what was being said about her Son, who is her saviour. Perhaps, Mary was asking herself whether the simple but difficult ‘Yes’ she said to God has become the source of this wonderment. Like hymn number 288 puts it beautifully, Mary was lost in wondering contemplation at what the shepherds were saying about the child Jesus.
During today's reading from the Gospel of Luke, [Lk. 2:15-21] we heard the words of the shepherds who said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." [Lk. 2:15] How many times have we Catholics repeated similar words? How many times have we said, "Let us go to the Church to hear the Word of God which has been made known to us." As the shepherds went to Bethlehem to adore Jesus in His physical body, you faithful believers come to Church to adore Jesus Who is physically present in the Sacred Tabernacle. Your acts of adoration are a continuation of the footsteps of the shepherds. Your children shall continue in these footsteps. And so will their children and their grand-children, etc... all for the glory of God.
When the shepherds returned, they glorified and praised God for all they had heard and seen, as it has been told them. They glorified and praised God for the fulfillment of the promises of the Old Testament, believing that through Jesus, the promised Messiah had finally arrived.
We too have much to glorify and praise God for. We praise and glorify God because we now know beyond any doubt that Jesus was the Messiah. He fulfilled the hundreds of Old Testament prophecies that were made regarding His coming. He died for us. On the third day, He resurrected. He sent His Spirit to teach and guide us. He instituted the Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church for our spiritual well-being.
We are also told that “Everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds had to say” (Luke 2:18). How astonished have we been who celebrate Christmas every year? Everything that God does always has a humble beginning. If we fail to recognize this fact, we will miss the opportunities that life offers us. We are invited to faith even in hopeless situations of our lives.
Faith and love could make the coming year, a promising one for all of us. It is easy to forget that Mary was above all a woman of faith. She left herself open to the possibilities of the call of God, no matter how incomprehensible it may be. Mary’s openness even included a call to be the Mother of God. “I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say” (Luke 1:38).
Mary’s faith in God did not mean that she did not ask questions: “How can this be since I do not know a man?” (Luke 1:34). Indeed, Mary did not understand when his Son says “Whoever does the will of my Father is my brother, sister and mother” (Mark 3:35). But Mary’s faith did not waver. As we are told, “Mary treasured all these things and reflected on them in her heart” (Luke 1:19).
The first day of the year is placed under the sign of a woman, Mary. The Evangelist Luke describes her as the silent Virgin who listens constantly to the eternal Word, who lives in the Word of God. Mary treasures in her heart the words that come from God and, piecing them together, she learns to understand them.
As we begin a new year, we are invited to see Mary as an epitome of faith; an example of our own approach to daily life. Faith will make it possible for us to see that “God who is mighty has done great things for us and also that God who is mighty will do greater things in and through us in this New Year. When the tempest rages around us, Mary will calm the troubled sea because she has gone through the tempest rages.
Indeed, it is only where God is seen does life truly begins; only when we meet the living God in Christ do we know what life is. We are not some casual and meaningless product of evolution. Each of us is the result of a thought of God. Each of us is willed; each of us is loved and each of us is necessary. As Pope Benedict XVI puts it beautifully, there is nothing more beautiful than to know him and to speak to others about our friendship with Him. Mary recognized in the infant Jesus, God and her Saviour. Therefore, she makes God known through her beautiful song, ‘The Magnificat’.
Mary recognized that her entire life was the gift of God and she uses that gift in magnifying God. So again, she is a model of gratitude. When we reflect on the wonder of God, we will as a matter of necessity always be grateful to God.
In sum, let us ponder anew what the almighty God has done, is doing and about to do. We need to count our blessings one by one and thank God in all we have gone through in 2010 whether good or bad. Let us too, at the school of Mary, learn to become attentive and docile disciples of the Lord. With her motherly help, let us commit ourselves to working enthusiastically in the "workshop" of peace, following Christ, the Prince of Peace.
Numbers 6:22-27/ Psalm 67/ Galatians 4:4-7/ Luke 2: 16-21
Agorsor Aaron Agbeshie
THEME: The Wonder of God
The title of "Mother of God" was first used by Elizabeth at Mary’s Visitation. At that moment, Elizabeth said, "And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me?" [Lk. 1:43] Elsewhere in the Holy Bible, we read that Mary is the Mother of Christ [Mt. 1:18-25] and that Jesus Christ is Lord and God. [Jn. 20:28] Consequently we can logically conclude that Mary is the Mother of God.
Mary’s Magnificat “ My soul magnifies the Lord, my spirit finds joy in God my saviour…God who is mighty has done great things for me , holy is his name; His mercy is from age to age on those who fear him…”( Luke 1:46-50). Indeed, God has done great things for Mary and this thought fills Mary’s heart today.
The Gospel reading says it all. When Mary saw even shepherds joyously repeating what the angels have told them, we are told that “ … Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart” ( Luke 2:19). Mary, as it were, was lost in deep contemplation. Words could not fathom what was being said about her Son, who is her saviour. Perhaps, Mary was asking herself whether the simple but difficult ‘Yes’ she said to God has become the source of this wonderment. Like hymn number 288 puts it beautifully, Mary was lost in wondering contemplation at what the shepherds were saying about the child Jesus.
During today's reading from the Gospel of Luke, [Lk. 2:15-21] we heard the words of the shepherds who said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." [Lk. 2:15] How many times have we Catholics repeated similar words? How many times have we said, "Let us go to the Church to hear the Word of God which has been made known to us." As the shepherds went to Bethlehem to adore Jesus in His physical body, you faithful believers come to Church to adore Jesus Who is physically present in the Sacred Tabernacle. Your acts of adoration are a continuation of the footsteps of the shepherds. Your children shall continue in these footsteps. And so will their children and their grand-children, etc... all for the glory of God.
When the shepherds returned, they glorified and praised God for all they had heard and seen, as it has been told them. They glorified and praised God for the fulfillment of the promises of the Old Testament, believing that through Jesus, the promised Messiah had finally arrived.
We too have much to glorify and praise God for. We praise and glorify God because we now know beyond any doubt that Jesus was the Messiah. He fulfilled the hundreds of Old Testament prophecies that were made regarding His coming. He died for us. On the third day, He resurrected. He sent His Spirit to teach and guide us. He instituted the Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church for our spiritual well-being.
We are also told that “Everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds had to say” (Luke 2:18). How astonished have we been who celebrate Christmas every year? Everything that God does always has a humble beginning. If we fail to recognize this fact, we will miss the opportunities that life offers us. We are invited to faith even in hopeless situations of our lives.
Faith and love could make the coming year, a promising one for all of us. It is easy to forget that Mary was above all a woman of faith. She left herself open to the possibilities of the call of God, no matter how incomprehensible it may be. Mary’s openness even included a call to be the Mother of God. “I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say” (Luke 1:38).
Mary’s faith in God did not mean that she did not ask questions: “How can this be since I do not know a man?” (Luke 1:34). Indeed, Mary did not understand when his Son says “Whoever does the will of my Father is my brother, sister and mother” (Mark 3:35). But Mary’s faith did not waver. As we are told, “Mary treasured all these things and reflected on them in her heart” (Luke 1:19).
The first day of the year is placed under the sign of a woman, Mary. The Evangelist Luke describes her as the silent Virgin who listens constantly to the eternal Word, who lives in the Word of God. Mary treasures in her heart the words that come from God and, piecing them together, she learns to understand them.
As we begin a new year, we are invited to see Mary as an epitome of faith; an example of our own approach to daily life. Faith will make it possible for us to see that “God who is mighty has done great things for us and also that God who is mighty will do greater things in and through us in this New Year. When the tempest rages around us, Mary will calm the troubled sea because she has gone through the tempest rages.
Indeed, it is only where God is seen does life truly begins; only when we meet the living God in Christ do we know what life is. We are not some casual and meaningless product of evolution. Each of us is the result of a thought of God. Each of us is willed; each of us is loved and each of us is necessary. As Pope Benedict XVI puts it beautifully, there is nothing more beautiful than to know him and to speak to others about our friendship with Him. Mary recognized in the infant Jesus, God and her Saviour. Therefore, she makes God known through her beautiful song, ‘The Magnificat’.
Mary recognized that her entire life was the gift of God and she uses that gift in magnifying God. So again, she is a model of gratitude. When we reflect on the wonder of God, we will as a matter of necessity always be grateful to God.
In sum, let us ponder anew what the almighty God has done, is doing and about to do. We need to count our blessings one by one and thank God in all we have gone through in 2010 whether good or bad. Let us too, at the school of Mary, learn to become attentive and docile disciples of the Lord. With her motherly help, let us commit ourselves to working enthusiastically in the "workshop" of peace, following Christ, the Prince of Peace.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
HOMILY FOR HOLY FAMILY SUNDAY, YEAR A
Sirach 3:3-7, 14-17a /Psalm 128/Colossians 3:12-21/ Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23
Agorsor Aaron Agbeshie
Theme: In God’s will we find true peace
The Sunday during the Octave of Christmas is celebrated as the Feast of the Holy Family. After the celebration of the Birth of Our Savior, an event marked by miracles and heavenly interventions, we are reminded that Jesus, the Son of God, truly shared our human condition. Although wondrously unique because of the presence of God Himself in its midst, the Holy Family was like all human families. Its circumstances were similar to those of so many other human families. It knew poverty, uncertainty, even exile. And when the danger was over, it remained a Family, living modestly, in poverty, through the labor of its hands. Yes, the Son of God truly shared the human condition in its fullness except in sin, although He would one day sacrifice Himself to free us from sin.
Yesterday, the Scripture readings called our attention to the child at the crib. Today’s readings point to the entire nativity scene and bid us consider the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. These readings offer us the lessons on Christian family life.
In today’s first ‘reading Sirach gives a beautiful comment on the fourth commandment: “Honor your father and your mother, that you may have a long life in the land which the Lord, your God, is giving you” (Exodus 20:12). Sirach’s advice is based on Israel’s wise reflection on God’s revelation; a revelation based on how the new generation of the Israelites is to walk with God.
Again, the First reading should raise a question in the minds of every parent: Have I given my children everything- good education, fine clothes but failed to impart to them by word and especially by example the wisdom of God? As young people, have we obeyed our parents, brought joy to them or pain.
Today’s second reading, gives us additional admonition on Christian family life. Indeed, Paul’s advice is not directed to an ordinary family. Rather, it is directed to a family that professes belief in Christ as the Lord of their lives; a family which is part of the Body of Christ, the Church (Colossians 3:5). No wonder the family is called the “Domestic Church”. Paul’s insistence on forbearance and forgiveness of one another (Colossians 3:13) is especially important for a family where close daily contact with one another is bound to create friction. It is not a kind of advice experience would teach. Paul expressly says “Forgive as the Lord has forgiven you” (Colossians 3:13). Receiving God’s forgiveness is conditioned by our own forgiveness of others. “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us” (Matthew 6:12). If we do not forgive others, we put an impenetrable barrier and prevent God’s forgiveness from reaching our heart.
Again, peace in our family is as important as world peace. True peace is found when we do the will of God. This is because in his will we find true peace.
Furthermore, Paul urges us to dedicate ourselves to thankfulness. We need to be thankful to God for all his goodness to us. Our appreciation of what God has done for us must translate into our appreciation of one another in our families. A family that has an ungrateful person in it knows the disruptive force of ingratitude. Ingratitude it is said is a vice.
In the Gospel reading, Joseph is presented to us as a model of true fatherhood. Joseph had to undergo suffering for the sake of Jesus. He always acts on the will of God without complaining.
Family life teaches us at a very early age how dependent we are on one another. To belong to a family is to dispel the myth of independence. This illusion often afflicts us as we enter adulthood; we can be deceived into thinking that we don't need anyone and that all that matters is that we do what we want. Sometimes this illusion afflicts us even later in life and we run away from our responsibilities.
With this Feast of the Holy Family, the Church does more than just exhort us with the words of Saint Paul. The Holy Family of Nazareth is proposed to us as a model for all Christian families. If the Son of God chose to accomplish His plan of salvation by experiencing family life, the Holy Family of Nazareth has a special significance for us. Even Jesus according to his genealogy in Matthew 1:1-16, did not have a perfect family. There were prostitutes (Rahab) in his family, murderers (Manasseh), adulterers (King David). Any family that deviates from the will of God will surely have a bad name.
It serves as a model of what every family should be: a community of love and sharing. Jesus, Mary and Joseph were united in their obedience to the will of the Father: Mary said "yes" to God, Joseph too obeyed and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him. Jesus too was busy with the Father's affairs. Obedience, authority, leadership, these concepts are given a new meaning by the example of the Holy Family. All without exception, wives, husbands, and children are called to mutual service. This is the essence of Christian leadership.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph never took one another for granted. How could they when their coming together was so wondrous. Our own family situations would be much improved if we took this one lesson to heart: not to take anyone for granted, to cherish one another as God's gift. This is what we learn from the Holy Family of Nazareth.
It is important for us to know what we mean by family consecration. The essence of consecration is conformity. It consists in imitation. By consecrating ourselves to the Holy Family we pledge with the help of God's grace to live in union as they did, intent above all in doing God's Holy Will.
In sum, on the occasion of Holy Family Sunday, parents must rediscover their roles as first evangelizers to their children. This is because the family is the first source of socialization for the child. Whatever the child would become later in life depends on the family. Let us all work towards making our families places of peace and tranquility. Our family history may not be the best and yet the example of Jesus having come from such a background should encourage us to know that no matter what something good can still come from our seemingly hopeless families.
Sirach 3:3-7, 14-17a /Psalm 128/Colossians 3:12-21/ Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23
Agorsor Aaron Agbeshie
Theme: In God’s will we find true peace
The Sunday during the Octave of Christmas is celebrated as the Feast of the Holy Family. After the celebration of the Birth of Our Savior, an event marked by miracles and heavenly interventions, we are reminded that Jesus, the Son of God, truly shared our human condition. Although wondrously unique because of the presence of God Himself in its midst, the Holy Family was like all human families. Its circumstances were similar to those of so many other human families. It knew poverty, uncertainty, even exile. And when the danger was over, it remained a Family, living modestly, in poverty, through the labor of its hands. Yes, the Son of God truly shared the human condition in its fullness except in sin, although He would one day sacrifice Himself to free us from sin.
Yesterday, the Scripture readings called our attention to the child at the crib. Today’s readings point to the entire nativity scene and bid us consider the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. These readings offer us the lessons on Christian family life.
In today’s first ‘reading Sirach gives a beautiful comment on the fourth commandment: “Honor your father and your mother, that you may have a long life in the land which the Lord, your God, is giving you” (Exodus 20:12). Sirach’s advice is based on Israel’s wise reflection on God’s revelation; a revelation based on how the new generation of the Israelites is to walk with God.
Again, the First reading should raise a question in the minds of every parent: Have I given my children everything- good education, fine clothes but failed to impart to them by word and especially by example the wisdom of God? As young people, have we obeyed our parents, brought joy to them or pain.
Today’s second reading, gives us additional admonition on Christian family life. Indeed, Paul’s advice is not directed to an ordinary family. Rather, it is directed to a family that professes belief in Christ as the Lord of their lives; a family which is part of the Body of Christ, the Church (Colossians 3:5). No wonder the family is called the “Domestic Church”. Paul’s insistence on forbearance and forgiveness of one another (Colossians 3:13) is especially important for a family where close daily contact with one another is bound to create friction. It is not a kind of advice experience would teach. Paul expressly says “Forgive as the Lord has forgiven you” (Colossians 3:13). Receiving God’s forgiveness is conditioned by our own forgiveness of others. “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us” (Matthew 6:12). If we do not forgive others, we put an impenetrable barrier and prevent God’s forgiveness from reaching our heart.
Again, peace in our family is as important as world peace. True peace is found when we do the will of God. This is because in his will we find true peace.
Furthermore, Paul urges us to dedicate ourselves to thankfulness. We need to be thankful to God for all his goodness to us. Our appreciation of what God has done for us must translate into our appreciation of one another in our families. A family that has an ungrateful person in it knows the disruptive force of ingratitude. Ingratitude it is said is a vice.
In the Gospel reading, Joseph is presented to us as a model of true fatherhood. Joseph had to undergo suffering for the sake of Jesus. He always acts on the will of God without complaining.
Family life teaches us at a very early age how dependent we are on one another. To belong to a family is to dispel the myth of independence. This illusion often afflicts us as we enter adulthood; we can be deceived into thinking that we don't need anyone and that all that matters is that we do what we want. Sometimes this illusion afflicts us even later in life and we run away from our responsibilities.
With this Feast of the Holy Family, the Church does more than just exhort us with the words of Saint Paul. The Holy Family of Nazareth is proposed to us as a model for all Christian families. If the Son of God chose to accomplish His plan of salvation by experiencing family life, the Holy Family of Nazareth has a special significance for us. Even Jesus according to his genealogy in Matthew 1:1-16, did not have a perfect family. There were prostitutes (Rahab) in his family, murderers (Manasseh), adulterers (King David). Any family that deviates from the will of God will surely have a bad name.
It serves as a model of what every family should be: a community of love and sharing. Jesus, Mary and Joseph were united in their obedience to the will of the Father: Mary said "yes" to God, Joseph too obeyed and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him. Jesus too was busy with the Father's affairs. Obedience, authority, leadership, these concepts are given a new meaning by the example of the Holy Family. All without exception, wives, husbands, and children are called to mutual service. This is the essence of Christian leadership.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph never took one another for granted. How could they when their coming together was so wondrous. Our own family situations would be much improved if we took this one lesson to heart: not to take anyone for granted, to cherish one another as God's gift. This is what we learn from the Holy Family of Nazareth.
It is important for us to know what we mean by family consecration. The essence of consecration is conformity. It consists in imitation. By consecrating ourselves to the Holy Family we pledge with the help of God's grace to live in union as they did, intent above all in doing God's Holy Will.
In sum, on the occasion of Holy Family Sunday, parents must rediscover their roles as first evangelizers to their children. This is because the family is the first source of socialization for the child. Whatever the child would become later in life depends on the family. Let us all work towards making our families places of peace and tranquility. Our family history may not be the best and yet the example of Jesus having come from such a background should encourage us to know that no matter what something good can still come from our seemingly hopeless families.
HOMILY FOR HOLY FAMILY SUNDAY, YEAR A
Sirach 3:3-7, 14-17a /Psalm 128/Colossians 3:12-21/ Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23
Agorsor Aaron Agbeshie
Theme: In God’s will we find true peace
The Sunday during the Octave of Christmas is celebrated as the Feast of the Holy Family. After the celebration of the Birth of Our Savior, an event marked by miracles and heavenly interventions, we are reminded that Jesus, the Son of God, truly shared our human condition. Although wondrously unique because of the presence of God Himself in its midst, the Holy Family was like all human families. Its circumstances were similar to those of so many other human families. It knew poverty, uncertainty, even exile. And when the danger was over, it remained a Family, living modestly, in poverty, through the labor of its hands. Yes, the Son of God truly shared the human condition in its fullness except in sin, although He would one day sacrifice Himself to free us from sin.
Yesterday, the Scripture readings called our attention to the child at the crib. Today’s readings point to the entire nativity scene and bid us consider the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. These readings offer us the lessons on Christian family life.
In today’s first ‘reading Sirach gives a beautiful comment on the fourth commandment: “Honor your father and your mother, that you may have a long life in the land which the Lord, your God, is giving you” (Exodus 20:12). Sirach’s advice is based on Israel’s wise reflection on God’s revelation; a revelation based on how the new generation of the Israelites is to walk with God.
Again, the First reading should raise a question in the minds of every parent: Have I given my children everything- good education, fine clothes but failed to impart to them by word and especially by example the wisdom of God? As young people, have we obeyed our parents, brought joy to them or pain.
Today’s second reading, gives us additional admonition on Christian family life. Indeed, Paul’s advice is not directed to an ordinary family. Rather, it is directed to a family that professes belief in Christ as the Lord of their lives; a family which is part of the Body of Christ, the Church (Colossians 3:5). No wonder the family is called the “Domestic Church”. Paul’s insistence on forbearance and forgiveness of one another (Colossians 3:13) is especially important for a family where close daily contact with one another is bound to create friction. It is not a kind of advice experience would teach. Paul expressly says “Forgive as the Lord has forgiven you” (Colossians 3:13). Receiving God’s forgiveness is conditioned by our own forgiveness of others. “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us” (Matthew 6:12). If we do not forgive others, we put an impenetrable barrier and prevent God’s forgiveness from reaching our heart.
Again, peace in our family is as important as world peace. True peace is found when we do the will of God. This is because in his will we find true peace.
Furthermore, Paul urges us to dedicate ourselves to thankfulness. We need to be thankful to God for all his goodness to us. Our appreciation of what God has done for us must translate into our appreciation of one another in our families. A family that has an ungrateful person in it knows the disruptive force of ingratitude. Ingratitude it is said is a vice.
In the Gospel reading, Joseph is presented to us as a model of true fatherhood. Joseph had to undergo suffering for the sake of Jesus. He always acts on the will of God without complaining.
Family life teaches us at a very early age how dependent we are on one another. To belong to a family is to dispel the myth of independence. This illusion often afflicts us as we enter adulthood; we can be deceived into thinking that we don't need anyone and that all that matters is that we do what we want. Sometimes this illusion afflicts us even later in life and we run away from our responsibilities.
With this Feast of the Holy Family, the Church does more than just exhort us with the words of Saint Paul. The Holy Family of Nazareth is proposed to us as a model for all Christian families. If the Son of God chose to accomplish His plan of salvation by experiencing family life, the Holy Family of Nazareth has a special significance for us. Even Jesus according to his genealogy in Matthew 1:1-16, did not have a perfect family. There were prostitutes (Rahab) in his family, murderers (Manasseh), adulterers (King David). Any family that deviates from the will of God will surely have a bad name.
It serves as a model of what every family should be: a community of love and sharing. Jesus, Mary and Joseph were united in their obedience to the will of the Father: Mary said "yes" to God, Joseph too obeyed and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him. Jesus too was busy with the Father's affairs. Obedience, authority, leadership, these concepts are given a new meaning by the example of the Holy Family. All without exception, wives, husbands, and children are called to mutual service. This is the essence of Christian leadership.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph never took one another for granted. How could they when their coming together was so wondrous. Our own family situations would be much improved if we took this one lesson to heart: not to take anyone for granted, to cherish one another as God's gift. This is what we learn from the Holy Family of Nazareth.
It is important for us to know what we mean by family consecration. The essence of consecration is conformity. It consists in imitation. By consecrating ourselves to the Holy Family we pledge with the help of God's grace to live in union as they did, intent above all in doing God's Holy Will.
In sum, on the occasion of Holy Family Sunday, parents must rediscover their roles as first evangelizers to their children. This is because the family is the first source of socialization for the child. Whatever the child would become later in life depends on the family. Let us all work towards making our families places of peace and tranquility. Our family history may not be the best and yet the example of Jesus having come from such a background should encourage us to know that no matter what something good can still come from our seemingly hopeless families.
Sirach 3:3-7, 14-17a /Psalm 128/Colossians 3:12-21/ Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23
Agorsor Aaron Agbeshie
Theme: In God’s will we find true peace
The Sunday during the Octave of Christmas is celebrated as the Feast of the Holy Family. After the celebration of the Birth of Our Savior, an event marked by miracles and heavenly interventions, we are reminded that Jesus, the Son of God, truly shared our human condition. Although wondrously unique because of the presence of God Himself in its midst, the Holy Family was like all human families. Its circumstances were similar to those of so many other human families. It knew poverty, uncertainty, even exile. And when the danger was over, it remained a Family, living modestly, in poverty, through the labor of its hands. Yes, the Son of God truly shared the human condition in its fullness except in sin, although He would one day sacrifice Himself to free us from sin.
Yesterday, the Scripture readings called our attention to the child at the crib. Today’s readings point to the entire nativity scene and bid us consider the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. These readings offer us the lessons on Christian family life.
In today’s first ‘reading Sirach gives a beautiful comment on the fourth commandment: “Honor your father and your mother, that you may have a long life in the land which the Lord, your God, is giving you” (Exodus 20:12). Sirach’s advice is based on Israel’s wise reflection on God’s revelation; a revelation based on how the new generation of the Israelites is to walk with God.
Again, the First reading should raise a question in the minds of every parent: Have I given my children everything- good education, fine clothes but failed to impart to them by word and especially by example the wisdom of God? As young people, have we obeyed our parents, brought joy to them or pain.
Today’s second reading, gives us additional admonition on Christian family life. Indeed, Paul’s advice is not directed to an ordinary family. Rather, it is directed to a family that professes belief in Christ as the Lord of their lives; a family which is part of the Body of Christ, the Church (Colossians 3:5). No wonder the family is called the “Domestic Church”. Paul’s insistence on forbearance and forgiveness of one another (Colossians 3:13) is especially important for a family where close daily contact with one another is bound to create friction. It is not a kind of advice experience would teach. Paul expressly says “Forgive as the Lord has forgiven you” (Colossians 3:13). Receiving God’s forgiveness is conditioned by our own forgiveness of others. “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us” (Matthew 6:12). If we do not forgive others, we put an impenetrable barrier and prevent God’s forgiveness from reaching our heart.
Again, peace in our family is as important as world peace. True peace is found when we do the will of God. This is because in his will we find true peace.
Furthermore, Paul urges us to dedicate ourselves to thankfulness. We need to be thankful to God for all his goodness to us. Our appreciation of what God has done for us must translate into our appreciation of one another in our families. A family that has an ungrateful person in it knows the disruptive force of ingratitude. Ingratitude it is said is a vice.
In the Gospel reading, Joseph is presented to us as a model of true fatherhood. Joseph had to undergo suffering for the sake of Jesus. He always acts on the will of God without complaining.
Family life teaches us at a very early age how dependent we are on one another. To belong to a family is to dispel the myth of independence. This illusion often afflicts us as we enter adulthood; we can be deceived into thinking that we don't need anyone and that all that matters is that we do what we want. Sometimes this illusion afflicts us even later in life and we run away from our responsibilities.
With this Feast of the Holy Family, the Church does more than just exhort us with the words of Saint Paul. The Holy Family of Nazareth is proposed to us as a model for all Christian families. If the Son of God chose to accomplish His plan of salvation by experiencing family life, the Holy Family of Nazareth has a special significance for us. Even Jesus according to his genealogy in Matthew 1:1-16, did not have a perfect family. There were prostitutes (Rahab) in his family, murderers (Manasseh), adulterers (King David). Any family that deviates from the will of God will surely have a bad name.
It serves as a model of what every family should be: a community of love and sharing. Jesus, Mary and Joseph were united in their obedience to the will of the Father: Mary said "yes" to God, Joseph too obeyed and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him. Jesus too was busy with the Father's affairs. Obedience, authority, leadership, these concepts are given a new meaning by the example of the Holy Family. All without exception, wives, husbands, and children are called to mutual service. This is the essence of Christian leadership.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph never took one another for granted. How could they when their coming together was so wondrous. Our own family situations would be much improved if we took this one lesson to heart: not to take anyone for granted, to cherish one another as God's gift. This is what we learn from the Holy Family of Nazareth.
It is important for us to know what we mean by family consecration. The essence of consecration is conformity. It consists in imitation. By consecrating ourselves to the Holy Family we pledge with the help of God's grace to live in union as they did, intent above all in doing God's Holy Will.
In sum, on the occasion of Holy Family Sunday, parents must rediscover their roles as first evangelizers to their children. This is because the family is the first source of socialization for the child. Whatever the child would become later in life depends on the family. Let us all work towards making our families places of peace and tranquility. Our family history may not be the best and yet the example of Jesus having come from such a background should encourage us to know that no matter what something good can still come from our seemingly hopeless families.
HOMILY FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR A
Isaiah 7:10-14 /Psalm 24/Romans 1:1-7/ Matthew 1:18-24
Agorsor Aaron Agbeshie
Theme: God is with us
All too soon, the curtain of the Season of Advent is drawing to a close. Today’s readings focus on the coming of Christ at Christmas. The Fourth Sunday of Advent, therefore, symbolizes, hope fulfilled; a hope expressed in the first three Sundays of Advent. The Entrance Antiphon says it beautifully “Let the clouds rain down the Just One and the earth bring forth a saviour.”
The purpose of the Saviour’s coming is to free humanity from the tyranny of sin; the greatest threat to true human freedom. Advent is indeed marked by a spirit of expectation, of anticipation, of preparation, of longing. It is the cry of those who have experienced the tyranny of injustice in a world under the curse of sin, and yet who have hope of deliverance by a God who has heard the cries of oppressed slaves and brought deliverance!
The First Reading of today needs a little context. King Ahaz was being attacked by neighboring kingdoms, and so like a good political ruler, he was looking to join with another kingdom to fight them off. For this reason he intended to make an alliance with the Assyrians who were not Hebrew and did not have the faith and culture that the Hebrews had.
Ahaz had already forsaken God, and was living a bad life, sacrificing to idols and even had murdered his own son as a sacrifice to pagan idols. Isaiah can only see trouble from a political alliance with the Assyrians and is aware of the wickedness of Ahaz, so the prophet tells King Ahaz not to make the alliance, and instead, to put his trust in God and trust that the power of God would help him defeat his enemies. It is like Isaiah telling Ahaz that Assyria cannot save him.
But Ahaz was not able to place his trust in God; he would rather trust human aid to accomplish what he needed. But Isaiah will not relent and asks the King to ask God for a sign. In the same way that you make earthly alliances, make an alliance with God.
Yet Ahaz’s attitude did not deter God from fulfilling his promise to David. King Ahaz had formed an alliance with Assyria in order to fight his enemies.
In spite of all his evil ways, God still gave him a chance for reconciliation but Ahaz did not trust in God. Indeed, looking at the threat from his enemies which was imminent, he sought refuge in Assyria’s military might. In his choice, King Ahaz became worthless.
We too, when we doubt the power of God to meet us at the point of our needs, we become worthless.
In the Gospel Reading, we see a direct opposite of King Ahaz. Joseph, having had a dream, trusted in the providence of God. In fact, he acted upon it immediately and it was well with him. The angel tells Joseph not to fear, and gives him clear instructions about what to do with a difficult situation in his life. But the instructions themselves take Joseph away from the security of the law and the practice of his people. Yet Joseph was ready to face the embarrassment that goes with his choice.
If God is with us today, God is also not silent, but still speaking to us. God is still assuring us, telling us not to be afraid, and strengthening us. Indeed, it is dangerous to take risk but he who takes risk in the Lord, will be vindicated.
According to Pope Benedict XVI, in the name "Emmanuel," we find the answer to humanity's deepest longings for God throughout the ages. Emmanuel is both a prayer and plea (on our behalf) and a promise and declaration on God's part. When we pronounce the word, we are really praying and pleading: "God, be with us!" And when God speaks it, the almighty, eternal, omnipresent Creator of the world is telling us: "I am with you" in this Child.
In today’s Second Reading, Paul adds a further dimension to who Jesus is and what he came to accomplish. “Jesus is the Son of God in the power according to the spirit of holiness” (Romans 1:14). Through his resurrection from the dead, Christ is given the mission to sanctify men. Paul’s own personal experience of Jesus says it all when he says “But those things I used to consider gain I have come to rate all as loss in the light of the surpassing knowledge of my Lord Jesus Christ. For his sake I have forfeited everything, I have accounted all else rubbish so that Christ may be my wealth… I wish to know Christ and the power flowing from his resurrection…” (Philippians 3:7-10). The Emmanuel presupposes that we give up all for the sake of Christ.
Like Paul, we too are called to give up everything for the sake of Jesus this Christmas. Do you have a room in your heart for Jesus? There was no room for Jesus except the manger bed that faithful Christmas day. Make your hearts ready for Jesus this Christmas and your life will never be the same again.
Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promises. He saves us from our sins; he sanctifies us, he is God with us. If Jesus is God with us, then who is Jesus to you? What difference does he make in the way you lead your life?
In conclusion, may God grant both you and me the change of heart to reply with all conviction and sincerity: Jesus is the answer. This week, let us learn to listen to God as we pray. And when we get an answer, even if it is different than we expected, we need to trust in God, unlike Ahaz, and act on it. All through Advent we have been called to prepare for his coming, to rid ourselves of the things getting in the way of our relationship with God. Let us ponder, meditate and pray. Joseph listened to the angel and allowed God to enter into our world with grace and care.
.
Isaiah 7:10-14 /Psalm 24/Romans 1:1-7/ Matthew 1:18-24
Agorsor Aaron Agbeshie
Theme: God is with us
All too soon, the curtain of the Season of Advent is drawing to a close. Today’s readings focus on the coming of Christ at Christmas. The Fourth Sunday of Advent, therefore, symbolizes, hope fulfilled; a hope expressed in the first three Sundays of Advent. The Entrance Antiphon says it beautifully “Let the clouds rain down the Just One and the earth bring forth a saviour.”
The purpose of the Saviour’s coming is to free humanity from the tyranny of sin; the greatest threat to true human freedom. Advent is indeed marked by a spirit of expectation, of anticipation, of preparation, of longing. It is the cry of those who have experienced the tyranny of injustice in a world under the curse of sin, and yet who have hope of deliverance by a God who has heard the cries of oppressed slaves and brought deliverance!
The First Reading of today needs a little context. King Ahaz was being attacked by neighboring kingdoms, and so like a good political ruler, he was looking to join with another kingdom to fight them off. For this reason he intended to make an alliance with the Assyrians who were not Hebrew and did not have the faith and culture that the Hebrews had.
Ahaz had already forsaken God, and was living a bad life, sacrificing to idols and even had murdered his own son as a sacrifice to pagan idols. Isaiah can only see trouble from a political alliance with the Assyrians and is aware of the wickedness of Ahaz, so the prophet tells King Ahaz not to make the alliance, and instead, to put his trust in God and trust that the power of God would help him defeat his enemies. It is like Isaiah telling Ahaz that Assyria cannot save him.
But Ahaz was not able to place his trust in God; he would rather trust human aid to accomplish what he needed. But Isaiah will not relent and asks the King to ask God for a sign. In the same way that you make earthly alliances, make an alliance with God.
Yet Ahaz’s attitude did not deter God from fulfilling his promise to David. King Ahaz had formed an alliance with Assyria in order to fight his enemies.
In spite of all his evil ways, God still gave him a chance for reconciliation but Ahaz did not trust in God. Indeed, looking at the threat from his enemies which was imminent, he sought refuge in Assyria’s military might. In his choice, King Ahaz became worthless.
We too, when we doubt the power of God to meet us at the point of our needs, we become worthless.
In the Gospel Reading, we see a direct opposite of King Ahaz. Joseph, having had a dream, trusted in the providence of God. In fact, he acted upon it immediately and it was well with him. The angel tells Joseph not to fear, and gives him clear instructions about what to do with a difficult situation in his life. But the instructions themselves take Joseph away from the security of the law and the practice of his people. Yet Joseph was ready to face the embarrassment that goes with his choice.
If God is with us today, God is also not silent, but still speaking to us. God is still assuring us, telling us not to be afraid, and strengthening us. Indeed, it is dangerous to take risk but he who takes risk in the Lord, will be vindicated.
According to Pope Benedict XVI, in the name "Emmanuel," we find the answer to humanity's deepest longings for God throughout the ages. Emmanuel is both a prayer and plea (on our behalf) and a promise and declaration on God's part. When we pronounce the word, we are really praying and pleading: "God, be with us!" And when God speaks it, the almighty, eternal, omnipresent Creator of the world is telling us: "I am with you" in this Child.
In today’s Second Reading, Paul adds a further dimension to who Jesus is and what he came to accomplish. “Jesus is the Son of God in the power according to the spirit of holiness” (Romans 1:14). Through his resurrection from the dead, Christ is given the mission to sanctify men. Paul’s own personal experience of Jesus says it all when he says “But those things I used to consider gain I have come to rate all as loss in the light of the surpassing knowledge of my Lord Jesus Christ. For his sake I have forfeited everything, I have accounted all else rubbish so that Christ may be my wealth… I wish to know Christ and the power flowing from his resurrection…” (Philippians 3:7-10). The Emmanuel presupposes that we give up all for the sake of Christ.
Like Paul, we too are called to give up everything for the sake of Jesus this Christmas. Do you have a room in your heart for Jesus? There was no room for Jesus except the manger bed that faithful Christmas day. Make your hearts ready for Jesus this Christmas and your life will never be the same again.
Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promises. He saves us from our sins; he sanctifies us, he is God with us. If Jesus is God with us, then who is Jesus to you? What difference does he make in the way you lead your life?
In conclusion, may God grant both you and me the change of heart to reply with all conviction and sincerity: Jesus is the answer. This week, let us learn to listen to God as we pray. And when we get an answer, even if it is different than we expected, we need to trust in God, unlike Ahaz, and act on it. All through Advent we have been called to prepare for his coming, to rid ourselves of the things getting in the way of our relationship with God. Let us ponder, meditate and pray. Joseph listened to the angel and allowed God to enter into our world with grace and care.
.
HOMILY FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR A
Isaiah 7:10-14 /Psalm 24/Romans 1:1-7/ Matthew 1:18-24
Agorsor Aaron Agbeshie
Theme: God is with us
All too soon, the curtain of the Season of Advent is drawing to a close. Today’s readings focus on the coming of Christ at Christmas. The Fourth Sunday of Advent, therefore, symbolizes, hope fulfilled; a hope expressed in the first three Sundays of Advent. The Entrance Antiphon says it beautifully “Let the clouds rain down the Just One and the earth bring forth a saviour.”
The purpose of the Saviour’s coming is to free humanity from the tyranny of sin; the greatest threat to true human freedom. Advent is indeed marked by a spirit of expectation, of anticipation, of preparation, of longing. It is the cry of those who have experienced the tyranny of injustice in a world under the curse of sin, and yet who have hope of deliverance by a God who has heard the cries of oppressed slaves and brought deliverance!
The First Reading of today needs a little context. King Ahaz was being attacked by neighboring kingdoms, and so like a good political ruler, he was looking to join with another kingdom to fight them off. For this reason he intended to make an alliance with the Assyrians who were not Hebrew and did not have the faith and culture that the Hebrews had.
Ahaz had already forsaken God, and was living a bad life, sacrificing to idols and even had murdered his own son as a sacrifice to pagan idols. Isaiah can only see trouble from a political alliance with the Assyrians and is aware of the wickedness of Ahaz, so the prophet tells King Ahaz not to make the alliance, and instead, to put his trust in God and trust that the power of God would help him defeat his enemies. It is like Isaiah telling Ahaz that Assyria cannot save him.
But Ahaz was not able to place his trust in God; he would rather trust human aid to accomplish what he needed. But Isaiah will not relent and asks the King to ask God for a sign. In the same way that you make earthly alliances, make an alliance with God.
Yet Ahaz’s attitude did not deter God from fulfilling his promise to David. King Ahaz had formed an alliance with Assyria in order to fight his enemies.
In spite of all his evil ways, God still gave him a chance for reconciliation but Ahaz did not trust in God. Indeed, looking at the threat from his enemies which was imminent, he sought refuge in Assyria’s military might. In his choice, King Ahaz became worthless.
We too, when we doubt the power of God to meet us at the point of our needs, we become worthless.
In the Gospel Reading, we see a direct opposite of King Ahaz. Joseph, having had a dream, trusted in the providence of God. In fact, he acted upon it immediately and it was well with him. The angel tells Joseph not to fear, and gives him clear instructions about what to do with a difficult situation in his life. But the instructions themselves take Joseph away from the security of the law and the practice of his people. Yet Joseph was ready to face the embarrassment that goes with his choice.
If God is with us today, God is also not silent, but still speaking to us. God is still assuring us, telling us not to be afraid, and strengthening us. Indeed, it is dangerous to take risk but he who takes risk in the Lord, will be vindicated.
According to Pope Benedict XVI, in the name "Emmanuel," we find the answer to humanity's deepest longings for God throughout the ages. Emmanuel is both a prayer and plea (on our behalf) and a promise and declaration on God's part. When we pronounce the word, we are really praying and pleading: "God, be with us!" And when God speaks it, the almighty, eternal, omnipresent Creator of the world is telling us: "I am with you" in this Child.
In today’s Second Reading, Paul adds a further dimension to who Jesus is and what he came to accomplish. “Jesus is the Son of God in the power according to the spirit of holiness” (Romans 1:14). Through his resurrection from the dead, Christ is given the mission to sanctify men. Paul’s own personal experience of Jesus says it all when he says “But those things I used to consider gain I have come to rate all as loss in the light of the surpassing knowledge of my Lord Jesus Christ. For his sake I have forfeited everything, I have accounted all else rubbish so that Christ may be my wealth… I wish to know Christ and the power flowing from his resurrection…” (Philippians 3:7-10). The Emmanuel presupposes that we give up all for the sake of Christ.
Like Paul, we too are called to give up everything for the sake of Jesus this Christmas. Do you have a room in your heart for Jesus? There was no room for Jesus except the manger bed that faithful Christmas day. Make your hearts ready for Jesus this Christmas and your life will never be the same again.
Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promises. He saves us from our sins; he sanctifies us, he is God with us. If Jesus is God with us, then who is Jesus to you? What difference does he make in the way you lead your life?
In conclusion, may God grant both you and me the change of heart to reply with all conviction and sincerity: Jesus is the answer. This week, let us learn to listen to God as we pray. And when we get an answer, even if it is different than we expected, we need to trust in God, unlike Ahaz, and act on it. All through Advent we have been called to prepare for his coming, to rid ourselves of the things getting in the way of our relationship with God. Let us ponder, meditate and pray. Joseph listened to the angel and allowed God to enter into our world with grace and care.
.
Isaiah 7:10-14 /Psalm 24/Romans 1:1-7/ Matthew 1:18-24
Agorsor Aaron Agbeshie
Theme: God is with us
All too soon, the curtain of the Season of Advent is drawing to a close. Today’s readings focus on the coming of Christ at Christmas. The Fourth Sunday of Advent, therefore, symbolizes, hope fulfilled; a hope expressed in the first three Sundays of Advent. The Entrance Antiphon says it beautifully “Let the clouds rain down the Just One and the earth bring forth a saviour.”
The purpose of the Saviour’s coming is to free humanity from the tyranny of sin; the greatest threat to true human freedom. Advent is indeed marked by a spirit of expectation, of anticipation, of preparation, of longing. It is the cry of those who have experienced the tyranny of injustice in a world under the curse of sin, and yet who have hope of deliverance by a God who has heard the cries of oppressed slaves and brought deliverance!
The First Reading of today needs a little context. King Ahaz was being attacked by neighboring kingdoms, and so like a good political ruler, he was looking to join with another kingdom to fight them off. For this reason he intended to make an alliance with the Assyrians who were not Hebrew and did not have the faith and culture that the Hebrews had.
Ahaz had already forsaken God, and was living a bad life, sacrificing to idols and even had murdered his own son as a sacrifice to pagan idols. Isaiah can only see trouble from a political alliance with the Assyrians and is aware of the wickedness of Ahaz, so the prophet tells King Ahaz not to make the alliance, and instead, to put his trust in God and trust that the power of God would help him defeat his enemies. It is like Isaiah telling Ahaz that Assyria cannot save him.
But Ahaz was not able to place his trust in God; he would rather trust human aid to accomplish what he needed. But Isaiah will not relent and asks the King to ask God for a sign. In the same way that you make earthly alliances, make an alliance with God.
Yet Ahaz’s attitude did not deter God from fulfilling his promise to David. King Ahaz had formed an alliance with Assyria in order to fight his enemies.
In spite of all his evil ways, God still gave him a chance for reconciliation but Ahaz did not trust in God. Indeed, looking at the threat from his enemies which was imminent, he sought refuge in Assyria’s military might. In his choice, King Ahaz became worthless.
We too, when we doubt the power of God to meet us at the point of our needs, we become worthless.
In the Gospel Reading, we see a direct opposite of King Ahaz. Joseph, having had a dream, trusted in the providence of God. In fact, he acted upon it immediately and it was well with him. The angel tells Joseph not to fear, and gives him clear instructions about what to do with a difficult situation in his life. But the instructions themselves take Joseph away from the security of the law and the practice of his people. Yet Joseph was ready to face the embarrassment that goes with his choice.
If God is with us today, God is also not silent, but still speaking to us. God is still assuring us, telling us not to be afraid, and strengthening us. Indeed, it is dangerous to take risk but he who takes risk in the Lord, will be vindicated.
According to Pope Benedict XVI, in the name "Emmanuel," we find the answer to humanity's deepest longings for God throughout the ages. Emmanuel is both a prayer and plea (on our behalf) and a promise and declaration on God's part. When we pronounce the word, we are really praying and pleading: "God, be with us!" And when God speaks it, the almighty, eternal, omnipresent Creator of the world is telling us: "I am with you" in this Child.
In today’s Second Reading, Paul adds a further dimension to who Jesus is and what he came to accomplish. “Jesus is the Son of God in the power according to the spirit of holiness” (Romans 1:14). Through his resurrection from the dead, Christ is given the mission to sanctify men. Paul’s own personal experience of Jesus says it all when he says “But those things I used to consider gain I have come to rate all as loss in the light of the surpassing knowledge of my Lord Jesus Christ. For his sake I have forfeited everything, I have accounted all else rubbish so that Christ may be my wealth… I wish to know Christ and the power flowing from his resurrection…” (Philippians 3:7-10). The Emmanuel presupposes that we give up all for the sake of Christ.
Like Paul, we too are called to give up everything for the sake of Jesus this Christmas. Do you have a room in your heart for Jesus? There was no room for Jesus except the manger bed that faithful Christmas day. Make your hearts ready for Jesus this Christmas and your life will never be the same again.
Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promises. He saves us from our sins; he sanctifies us, he is God with us. If Jesus is God with us, then who is Jesus to you? What difference does he make in the way you lead your life?
In conclusion, may God grant both you and me the change of heart to reply with all conviction and sincerity: Jesus is the answer. This week, let us learn to listen to God as we pray. And when we get an answer, even if it is different than we expected, we need to trust in God, unlike Ahaz, and act on it. All through Advent we have been called to prepare for his coming, to rid ourselves of the things getting in the way of our relationship with God. Let us ponder, meditate and pray. Joseph listened to the angel and allowed God to enter into our world with grace and care.
.
Friday, December 10, 2010
HOMILY FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR A
Isaiah 35:1-6, 10 /Psalm 146/ James 5:7-10/ Matthew 11:2-11
Agorsor Aaron Agbeshie
Theme: Gaudete in Domino Semper (Rejoice in the Lord in the always)
This Sunday is traditionally called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is the Latin word meaning “Rejoice.” We call today Gaudete Sunday because the Entrance Antiphon for today’s Mass invites every Christian and indeed the entire creation to rejoice. It says “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice!” The Lord is near (Philippians 4:4, 5). What do you think might be a reason for our rejoicing? This Sunday’s Readings emphasize that proclaiming the joy of salvation in Jesus means more than simply telling people to be happy. It requires that we work to improve the conditions in their lives that prevent them from experiencing joy. Therefore, we are called to reflect on the fact that the salvation Jesus brings is of mercy.
In the First Reading, the Prophet Isaiah shares in the joy of this Sunday. The kind of joy Isaiah invites us to is a joy that comes when our situation seem hopeless. For instance, the images of wilderness and desert immediately bring out an idea of hopelessness but Isaiah says “The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like crocus it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing” (Isaiah 35:1-2a).
He urges us all to be strong and stand firm for our salvation is near. So he says “Strengthen the weak hands and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, ‘Be strong and do not fear” (Isaiah 35:3-4).
He reminded us during the First Reading of last week that when the Lord comes, he will judge with justice but today Isaiah says that we should rejoice because mercy is the foundation of the salvation the Lord brings. It is like Isaiah is saying that “The Lord calls you back, like a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, a wife married in youth and then cast off, says your God. For a brief moment, I abandoned you, but with great tenderness I will take you back. In an outburst of wrath, for a moment I hid my face from you; but with enduring love I take pity on you says the Lord, your redeemer… though the mountains leave their place and the hills be shaken, my love shall never leave you nor my covenant of peace be shaken, says the Lord, who has mercy on you” (Isaiah 54:6-10).
In the Second Reading, James warns us that while we wait for the coming of the Lord, we will suffer. When the Lord comes, he will vindicate us and show our persecutors that our faith was not in vain. He presents the Prophets as models of suffering. He seems to say that the life of the Prophet and suffering are distinctly inseparable. This means that anyone who claims to follow Jesus must be ready to endure suffering. The Old Testament Prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Elijah, and the like are examples for our imitation and appraisal.
James’s message is meant to stir up our trust in the Lord’s faithfulness to his promise that he will come. Therefore, he urges us that when all around us people are proclaiming the absence of the Lord, we must be able to give an account of the hope that is in us (1Peter 3:15). James has not promised us a problem free Christianity. On the contrary, he says amidst all the trials, the Lord’s promise rings out because the Lord’s promises are true and they are everlasting. Like Isaiah will say “Those whom the Lord ransomed will return and enter Zion singing, crowned with everlasting joy; they will meet with joy and gladness, sorrow and mourning will flee” (Isaiah 35:10).
The Psalmist makes the words of James true that the Lord is faithful when he says “Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God, who made heaven and earth… who keeps faith forever…” (Psalm 146:5-6). Indeed, the Lord’s faithfulness never comes to an end. They are new every morning. Great is his faithfulness (cf Lamentations 3:22-23).
A closer look at today’s Gospel Reading will reveal John the Baptist in prison, awaiting beheading, for censuring Herod. This means that it agrees with James that suffering awaits the Prophets of God. While in prison, John, perhaps accessing his work was a little bit confused about the activities of Jesus. Perhaps, he was getting disappointed about the way Jesus went about his ministry. Where is the winnowing fan that Jesus is to wield in his hand in order to bring destruction to the unrepentant hearts?
John was perhaps right in sending his disciples to Jesus in order to clear his doubts “Are you the one who is to come or are we to wait for another (Matthew 11:3).
Jesus’s answer “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me” (Matthew 11:5-6) should be a course for rejoicing. In Jesus’s answer, we come to the realization that the salvation that Jesus brings is of mercy. Sometimes in our bid to proclaim the Gospel, we wish God acts fast like the way we want it. But Jesus teaches us that he must fulfill every bit of his manifesto as stated in Luke 4: 16-19. Jesus admonishes that no one should take offense at the seemingly slow pace at which he is establishing his kingdom here on earth.
In sum, the readings of today point out the way all of us must go: we are invited to shelve our funny idea about the Lord’s coming, what he must be and do and to view Jesus’ miracles and understand them in the light of the merciful deeds of the Messiah. This is the way of faith; a way that calls for total abandonment of ourselves and our will to that of God. It is only with this can we remain steadfast in the midst of suffering because we know that “Hope will not fail us because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Spirit has given to us” (Romans 5:5).
Isaiah 35:1-6, 10 /Psalm 146/ James 5:7-10/ Matthew 11:2-11
Agorsor Aaron Agbeshie
Theme: Gaudete in Domino Semper (Rejoice in the Lord in the always)
This Sunday is traditionally called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is the Latin word meaning “Rejoice.” We call today Gaudete Sunday because the Entrance Antiphon for today’s Mass invites every Christian and indeed the entire creation to rejoice. It says “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice!” The Lord is near (Philippians 4:4, 5). What do you think might be a reason for our rejoicing? This Sunday’s Readings emphasize that proclaiming the joy of salvation in Jesus means more than simply telling people to be happy. It requires that we work to improve the conditions in their lives that prevent them from experiencing joy. Therefore, we are called to reflect on the fact that the salvation Jesus brings is of mercy.
In the First Reading, the Prophet Isaiah shares in the joy of this Sunday. The kind of joy Isaiah invites us to is a joy that comes when our situation seem hopeless. For instance, the images of wilderness and desert immediately bring out an idea of hopelessness but Isaiah says “The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like crocus it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing” (Isaiah 35:1-2a).
He urges us all to be strong and stand firm for our salvation is near. So he says “Strengthen the weak hands and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, ‘Be strong and do not fear” (Isaiah 35:3-4).
He reminded us during the First Reading of last week that when the Lord comes, he will judge with justice but today Isaiah says that we should rejoice because mercy is the foundation of the salvation the Lord brings. It is like Isaiah is saying that “The Lord calls you back, like a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, a wife married in youth and then cast off, says your God. For a brief moment, I abandoned you, but with great tenderness I will take you back. In an outburst of wrath, for a moment I hid my face from you; but with enduring love I take pity on you says the Lord, your redeemer… though the mountains leave their place and the hills be shaken, my love shall never leave you nor my covenant of peace be shaken, says the Lord, who has mercy on you” (Isaiah 54:6-10).
In the Second Reading, James warns us that while we wait for the coming of the Lord, we will suffer. When the Lord comes, he will vindicate us and show our persecutors that our faith was not in vain. He presents the Prophets as models of suffering. He seems to say that the life of the Prophet and suffering are distinctly inseparable. This means that anyone who claims to follow Jesus must be ready to endure suffering. The Old Testament Prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Elijah, and the like are examples for our imitation and appraisal.
James’s message is meant to stir up our trust in the Lord’s faithfulness to his promise that he will come. Therefore, he urges us that when all around us people are proclaiming the absence of the Lord, we must be able to give an account of the hope that is in us (1Peter 3:15). James has not promised us a problem free Christianity. On the contrary, he says amidst all the trials, the Lord’s promise rings out because the Lord’s promises are true and they are everlasting. Like Isaiah will say “Those whom the Lord ransomed will return and enter Zion singing, crowned with everlasting joy; they will meet with joy and gladness, sorrow and mourning will flee” (Isaiah 35:10).
The Psalmist makes the words of James true that the Lord is faithful when he says “Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God, who made heaven and earth… who keeps faith forever…” (Psalm 146:5-6). Indeed, the Lord’s faithfulness never comes to an end. They are new every morning. Great is his faithfulness (cf Lamentations 3:22-23).
A closer look at today’s Gospel Reading will reveal John the Baptist in prison, awaiting beheading, for censuring Herod. This means that it agrees with James that suffering awaits the Prophets of God. While in prison, John, perhaps accessing his work was a little bit confused about the activities of Jesus. Perhaps, he was getting disappointed about the way Jesus went about his ministry. Where is the winnowing fan that Jesus is to wield in his hand in order to bring destruction to the unrepentant hearts?
John was perhaps right in sending his disciples to Jesus in order to clear his doubts “Are you the one who is to come or are we to wait for another (Matthew 11:3).
Jesus’s answer “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me” (Matthew 11:5-6) should be a course for rejoicing. In Jesus’s answer, we come to the realization that the salvation that Jesus brings is of mercy. Sometimes in our bid to proclaim the Gospel, we wish God acts fast like the way we want it. But Jesus teaches us that he must fulfill every bit of his manifesto as stated in Luke 4: 16-19. Jesus admonishes that no one should take offense at the seemingly slow pace at which he is establishing his kingdom here on earth.
In sum, the readings of today point out the way all of us must go: we are invited to shelve our funny idea about the Lord’s coming, what he must be and do and to view Jesus’ miracles and understand them in the light of the merciful deeds of the Messiah. This is the way of faith; a way that calls for total abandonment of ourselves and our will to that of God. It is only with this can we remain steadfast in the midst of suffering because we know that “Hope will not fail us because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Spirit has given to us” (Romans 5:5).
HOMILY FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR A
Isaiah 35:1-6, 10 /Psalm 146/ James 5:7-10/ Matthew 11:2-11
Agorsor Aaron Agbeshie
Theme: Gaudete in Domino Semper (Rejoice in the Lord in the always)
This Sunday is traditionally called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is the Latin word meaning “Rejoice.” We call today Gaudete Sunday because the Entrance Antiphon for today’s Mass invites every Christian and indeed the entire creation to rejoice. It says “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice!” The Lord is near (Philippians 4:4, 5). What do you think might be a reason for our rejoicing? This Sunday’s Readings emphasize that proclaiming the joy of salvation in Jesus means more than simply telling people to be happy. It requires that we work to improve the conditions in their lives that prevent them from experiencing joy. Therefore, we are called to reflect on the fact that the salvation Jesus brings is of mercy.
In the First Reading, the Prophet Isaiah shares in the joy of this Sunday. The kind of joy Isaiah invites us to is a joy that comes when our situation seem hopeless. For instance, the images of wilderness and desert immediately bring out an idea of hopelessness but Isaiah says “The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like crocus it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing” (Isaiah 35:1-2a).
He urges us all to be strong and stand firm for our salvation is near. So he says “Strengthen the weak hands and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, ‘Be strong and do not fear” (Isaiah 35:3-4).
He reminded us during the First Reading of last week that when the Lord comes, he will judge with justice but today Isaiah says that we should rejoice because mercy is the foundation of the salvation the Lord brings. It is like Isaiah is saying that “The Lord calls you back, like a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, a wife married in youth and then cast off, says your God. For a brief moment, I abandoned you, but with great tenderness I will take you back. In an outburst of wrath, for a moment I hid my face from you; but with enduring love I take pity on you says the Lord, your redeemer… though the mountains leave their place and the hills be shaken, my love shall never leave you nor my covenant of peace be shaken, says the Lord, who has mercy on you” (Isaiah 54:6-10).
In the Second Reading, James warns us that while we wait for the coming of the Lord, we will suffer. When the Lord comes, he will vindicate us and show our persecutors that our faith was not in vain. He presents the Prophets as models of suffering. He seems to say that the life of the Prophet and suffering are distinctly inseparable. This means that anyone who claims to follow Jesus must be ready to endure suffering. The Old Testament Prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Elijah, and the like are examples for our imitation and appraisal.
James’s message is meant to stir up our trust in the Lord’s faithfulness to his promise that he will come. Therefore, he urges us that when all around us people are proclaiming the absence of the Lord, we must be able to give an account of the hope that is in us (1Peter 3:15). James has not promised us a problem free Christianity. On the contrary, he says amidst all the trials, the Lord’s promise rings out because the Lord’s promises are true and they are everlasting. Like Isaiah will say “Those whom the Lord ransomed will return and enter Zion singing, crowned with everlasting joy; they will meet with joy and gladness, sorrow and mourning will flee” (Isaiah 35:10).
The Psalmist makes the words of James true that the Lord is faithful when he says “Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God, who made heaven and earth… who keeps faith forever…” (Psalm 146:5-6). Indeed, the Lord’s faithfulness never comes to an end. They are new every morning. Great is his faithfulness (cf Lamentations 3:22-23).
A closer look at today’s Gospel Reading will reveal John the Baptist in prison, awaiting beheading, for censuring Herod. This means that it agrees with James that suffering awaits the Prophets of God. While in prison, John, perhaps accessing his work was a little bit confused about the activities of Jesus. Perhaps, he was getting disappointed about the way Jesus went about his ministry. Where is the winnowing fan that Jesus is to wield in his hand in order to bring destruction to the unrepentant hearts?
John was perhaps right in sending his disciples to Jesus in order to clear his doubts “Are you the one who is to come or are we to wait for another (Matthew 11:3).
Jesus’s answer “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me” (Matthew 11:5-6) should be a course for rejoicing. In Jesus’s answer, we come to the realization that the salvation that Jesus brings is of mercy. Sometimes in our bid to proclaim the Gospel, we wish God acts fast like the way we want it. But Jesus teaches us that he must fulfill every bit of his manifesto as stated in Luke 4: 16-19. Jesus admonishes that no one should take offense at the seemingly slow pace at which he is establishing his kingdom here on earth.
In sum, the readings of today point out the way all of us must go: we are invited to shelve our funny idea about the Lord’s coming, what he must be and do and to view Jesus’ miracles and understand them in the light of the merciful deeds of the Messiah. This is the way of faith; a way that calls for total abandonment of ourselves and our will to that of God. It is only with this can we remain steadfast in the midst of suffering because we know that “Hope will not fail us because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Spirit has given to us” (Romans 5:5).
Isaiah 35:1-6, 10 /Psalm 146/ James 5:7-10/ Matthew 11:2-11
Agorsor Aaron Agbeshie
Theme: Gaudete in Domino Semper (Rejoice in the Lord in the always)
This Sunday is traditionally called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is the Latin word meaning “Rejoice.” We call today Gaudete Sunday because the Entrance Antiphon for today’s Mass invites every Christian and indeed the entire creation to rejoice. It says “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice!” The Lord is near (Philippians 4:4, 5). What do you think might be a reason for our rejoicing? This Sunday’s Readings emphasize that proclaiming the joy of salvation in Jesus means more than simply telling people to be happy. It requires that we work to improve the conditions in their lives that prevent them from experiencing joy. Therefore, we are called to reflect on the fact that the salvation Jesus brings is of mercy.
In the First Reading, the Prophet Isaiah shares in the joy of this Sunday. The kind of joy Isaiah invites us to is a joy that comes when our situation seem hopeless. For instance, the images of wilderness and desert immediately bring out an idea of hopelessness but Isaiah says “The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like crocus it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing” (Isaiah 35:1-2a).
He urges us all to be strong and stand firm for our salvation is near. So he says “Strengthen the weak hands and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, ‘Be strong and do not fear” (Isaiah 35:3-4).
He reminded us during the First Reading of last week that when the Lord comes, he will judge with justice but today Isaiah says that we should rejoice because mercy is the foundation of the salvation the Lord brings. It is like Isaiah is saying that “The Lord calls you back, like a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, a wife married in youth and then cast off, says your God. For a brief moment, I abandoned you, but with great tenderness I will take you back. In an outburst of wrath, for a moment I hid my face from you; but with enduring love I take pity on you says the Lord, your redeemer… though the mountains leave their place and the hills be shaken, my love shall never leave you nor my covenant of peace be shaken, says the Lord, who has mercy on you” (Isaiah 54:6-10).
In the Second Reading, James warns us that while we wait for the coming of the Lord, we will suffer. When the Lord comes, he will vindicate us and show our persecutors that our faith was not in vain. He presents the Prophets as models of suffering. He seems to say that the life of the Prophet and suffering are distinctly inseparable. This means that anyone who claims to follow Jesus must be ready to endure suffering. The Old Testament Prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Elijah, and the like are examples for our imitation and appraisal.
James’s message is meant to stir up our trust in the Lord’s faithfulness to his promise that he will come. Therefore, he urges us that when all around us people are proclaiming the absence of the Lord, we must be able to give an account of the hope that is in us (1Peter 3:15). James has not promised us a problem free Christianity. On the contrary, he says amidst all the trials, the Lord’s promise rings out because the Lord’s promises are true and they are everlasting. Like Isaiah will say “Those whom the Lord ransomed will return and enter Zion singing, crowned with everlasting joy; they will meet with joy and gladness, sorrow and mourning will flee” (Isaiah 35:10).
The Psalmist makes the words of James true that the Lord is faithful when he says “Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God, who made heaven and earth… who keeps faith forever…” (Psalm 146:5-6). Indeed, the Lord’s faithfulness never comes to an end. They are new every morning. Great is his faithfulness (cf Lamentations 3:22-23).
A closer look at today’s Gospel Reading will reveal John the Baptist in prison, awaiting beheading, for censuring Herod. This means that it agrees with James that suffering awaits the Prophets of God. While in prison, John, perhaps accessing his work was a little bit confused about the activities of Jesus. Perhaps, he was getting disappointed about the way Jesus went about his ministry. Where is the winnowing fan that Jesus is to wield in his hand in order to bring destruction to the unrepentant hearts?
John was perhaps right in sending his disciples to Jesus in order to clear his doubts “Are you the one who is to come or are we to wait for another (Matthew 11:3).
Jesus’s answer “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me” (Matthew 11:5-6) should be a course for rejoicing. In Jesus’s answer, we come to the realization that the salvation that Jesus brings is of mercy. Sometimes in our bid to proclaim the Gospel, we wish God acts fast like the way we want it. But Jesus teaches us that he must fulfill every bit of his manifesto as stated in Luke 4: 16-19. Jesus admonishes that no one should take offense at the seemingly slow pace at which he is establishing his kingdom here on earth.
In sum, the readings of today point out the way all of us must go: we are invited to shelve our funny idea about the Lord’s coming, what he must be and do and to view Jesus’ miracles and understand them in the light of the merciful deeds of the Messiah. This is the way of faith; a way that calls for total abandonment of ourselves and our will to that of God. It is only with this can we remain steadfast in the midst of suffering because we know that “Hope will not fail us because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Spirit has given to us” (Romans 5:5).
Saturday, December 4, 2010
HOMILY FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR A Isaiah 11:1-10 /Psalm 72/ Romans 15:4-9/ Matthew 3:1-12
HOMILY FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR A
Isaiah 11:1-10 /Psalm 72/ Romans 15:4-9/ Matthew 3:1-12
Agorsor Aaron Agbeshie
Theme: The joy of Christian Hope
Don’t give up loving. Don’t give up your goodness even if people around you sting. God desires “Steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God, rather than the burnt offering” (Hosea 3:6). Though we are sinners, God does not treat us the way we should be or the way we deserve, or the way that is just. God treats us with loving kindness, steadfast love. This is His nature. “Hope will not fail us because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Spirit has given to us” (Romans 5:5). The readings of today offer every Christian hope and an opportunity to repent.
In the First Reading, Isaiah prophesies judgment against Judah. Judah thinks itself safe because of its covenant relationship with God. However, God tells Judah (through Isaiah) that the covenant cannot protect them when they have broken it by the worship of other gods and by acts of injustice and cruelty, which oppose God's law. At the same time, he offers hope to Israel when he prophesies about the coming of the Messiah who will judge with integrity.
Indeed, the prophet did not mince words when he said that the Messiah “Shall not judge by what his eyes sees or decide by what his ears hears but with righteousness, he shall judge the poor and decide with equity for the meek of the earth…” (Isaiah 11:3-4).
The Jews pride themselves in the fact that they are the chosen people of God. However, they remain insincere in the worship of God. Judgment awaits all who think that they can serve two masters. The judgment that awaits each one of us is no respecter of persons. It does not consider status, accomplishment, successes and the like. Judgment cannot be bought with money like how people are buying justice in Ghana. The only collateral for escaping the wrath of God is repentance.
Christians are called to be men and women of integrity, sincerity and honesty. This is because he who judges, judges with integrity.
When we live a life of integrity and sincerity, our peace will be like a river and our righteousness like the waves of the sea .This is the kind of peace that Isaiah draws our attention to today; that peace that enables men and women, rich and poor, the powerful the vulnerable and susceptible to live together. The Prophet says that “The wolf shall live with the lamb; the leopard shall lie down with the kid… the nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den. They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea ” (Isaiah 11:6,8-9).
John in the Gospel Reading, like the Prophet Isaiah, offers hope to sinners like us in the midst of God’s judgment. For instance when the Baptist saw the Pharisees and Sadducees stepping forward for baptism, he said to them “You brood of vipers! Who told you to flee from the wrath to come? Give some evidence of that you mean to reform. Do not pride yourselves on the claim, ‘Abraham is our father.’ I tell you, God can raise up children of Abraham from these very stones” (Matthew 3:7-9).
John’s concern transcends the traditional view that one acquires knowledge of God by one’s birth into Israel. No, one does not become an heir to the promises made to Abraham just by birth. One must know the Lord personally that is, to do his will. Therefore, salvation is a choice. Our parents may have baptised us while we were infants, we may have received the Sacraments of Christian Initiation namely Baptism, Holy Eucharist, and Confirmation. We might have even held responsible positions in the Church. Today, John tells all of us that what is necessary for salvation is repentance.
John not only proclaims the coming of the reign of God, but the coming of the person of Jesus. In this proclamation, he surpasses all his prophetic predecessors. John’s Baptism fulfilled two purposes namely: it prepared the nation for Christ and it presented Christ to the nation. John mentions two other baptisms: a baptism of the Spirit and a baptism of fire (cf Matt.3:11). The Baptism of the Holy Spirit took place at Pentecost. In contrast, baptism of fire refers to the future judgment at the Parousia. This means that whenever we are baptised, we are baptised into the Holy Spirit and by extension, we are liable to judgment at the end of time.
In the Second Reading, Paul gives us one practical example of true repentance namely living in harmony with one another. For he says “May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another…” (Romans 15:5). Paul believes that we cannot worship God in a conflict prone community. We cannot worship God in an environment in which people do not feel accepted and loved.
Sin is the only thing that can wound our relationship with God. Insincerity hurts human relations and for the people of Israel, it has hurt their relationship with their maker. We are called to be sincere because sincerity is that light of the mind in which nothing remains unclear. Insincerity is that darkness of the mind in which a man strays away from the right path. Let us be sincere. A person who is sincere cannot be deceived. Only that person can be deceived whose heart is unclear.
In sum, both the Prophet Isaiah and John the Baptist offer every Christian hope. But we can only share in this hope when we repent of our sins. This is what this season of Advent offers each and every one of us. Let us celebrate our calling as Christians because God’s calling and choice of us are irrevocable ( cf Romans 11:29).
Isaiah 11:1-10 /Psalm 72/ Romans 15:4-9/ Matthew 3:1-12
Agorsor Aaron Agbeshie
Theme: The joy of Christian Hope
Don’t give up loving. Don’t give up your goodness even if people around you sting. God desires “Steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God, rather than the burnt offering” (Hosea 3:6). Though we are sinners, God does not treat us the way we should be or the way we deserve, or the way that is just. God treats us with loving kindness, steadfast love. This is His nature. “Hope will not fail us because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Spirit has given to us” (Romans 5:5). The readings of today offer every Christian hope and an opportunity to repent.
In the First Reading, Isaiah prophesies judgment against Judah. Judah thinks itself safe because of its covenant relationship with God. However, God tells Judah (through Isaiah) that the covenant cannot protect them when they have broken it by the worship of other gods and by acts of injustice and cruelty, which oppose God's law. At the same time, he offers hope to Israel when he prophesies about the coming of the Messiah who will judge with integrity.
Indeed, the prophet did not mince words when he said that the Messiah “Shall not judge by what his eyes sees or decide by what his ears hears but with righteousness, he shall judge the poor and decide with equity for the meek of the earth…” (Isaiah 11:3-4).
The Jews pride themselves in the fact that they are the chosen people of God. However, they remain insincere in the worship of God. Judgment awaits all who think that they can serve two masters. The judgment that awaits each one of us is no respecter of persons. It does not consider status, accomplishment, successes and the like. Judgment cannot be bought with money like how people are buying justice in Ghana. The only collateral for escaping the wrath of God is repentance.
Christians are called to be men and women of integrity, sincerity and honesty. This is because he who judges, judges with integrity.
When we live a life of integrity and sincerity, our peace will be like a river and our righteousness like the waves of the sea .This is the kind of peace that Isaiah draws our attention to today; that peace that enables men and women, rich and poor, the powerful the vulnerable and susceptible to live together. The Prophet says that “The wolf shall live with the lamb; the leopard shall lie down with the kid… the nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den. They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea ” (Isaiah 11:6,8-9).
John in the Gospel Reading, like the Prophet Isaiah, offers hope to sinners like us in the midst of God’s judgment. For instance when the Baptist saw the Pharisees and Sadducees stepping forward for baptism, he said to them “You brood of vipers! Who told you to flee from the wrath to come? Give some evidence of that you mean to reform. Do not pride yourselves on the claim, ‘Abraham is our father.’ I tell you, God can raise up children of Abraham from these very stones” (Matthew 3:7-9).
John’s concern transcends the traditional view that one acquires knowledge of God by one’s birth into Israel. No, one does not become an heir to the promises made to Abraham just by birth. One must know the Lord personally that is, to do his will. Therefore, salvation is a choice. Our parents may have baptised us while we were infants, we may have received the Sacraments of Christian Initiation namely Baptism, Holy Eucharist, and Confirmation. We might have even held responsible positions in the Church. Today, John tells all of us that what is necessary for salvation is repentance.
John not only proclaims the coming of the reign of God, but the coming of the person of Jesus. In this proclamation, he surpasses all his prophetic predecessors. John’s Baptism fulfilled two purposes namely: it prepared the nation for Christ and it presented Christ to the nation. John mentions two other baptisms: a baptism of the Spirit and a baptism of fire (cf Matt.3:11). The Baptism of the Holy Spirit took place at Pentecost. In contrast, baptism of fire refers to the future judgment at the Parousia. This means that whenever we are baptised, we are baptised into the Holy Spirit and by extension, we are liable to judgment at the end of time.
In the Second Reading, Paul gives us one practical example of true repentance namely living in harmony with one another. For he says “May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another…” (Romans 15:5). Paul believes that we cannot worship God in a conflict prone community. We cannot worship God in an environment in which people do not feel accepted and loved.
Sin is the only thing that can wound our relationship with God. Insincerity hurts human relations and for the people of Israel, it has hurt their relationship with their maker. We are called to be sincere because sincerity is that light of the mind in which nothing remains unclear. Insincerity is that darkness of the mind in which a man strays away from the right path. Let us be sincere. A person who is sincere cannot be deceived. Only that person can be deceived whose heart is unclear.
In sum, both the Prophet Isaiah and John the Baptist offer every Christian hope. But we can only share in this hope when we repent of our sins. This is what this season of Advent offers each and every one of us. Let us celebrate our calling as Christians because God’s calling and choice of us are irrevocable ( cf Romans 11:29).
HOMILY FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR A Isaiah 11:1-10 /Psalm 72/ Romans 15:4-9/ Matthew 3:1-12
HOMILY FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR A
Isaiah 11:1-10 /Psalm 72/ Romans 15:4-9/ Matthew 3:1-12
Agorsor Aaron Agbeshie
Theme: The joy of Christian Hope
Don’t give up loving. Don’t give up your goodness even if people around you sting. God desires “Steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God, rather than the burnt offering” (Hosea 3:6). Though we are sinners, God does not treat us the way we should be or the way we deserve, or the way that is just. God treats us with loving kindness, steadfast love. This is His nature. “Hope will not fail us because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Spirit has given to us” (Romans 5:5). The readings of today offer every Christian hope and an opportunity to repent.
In the First Reading, Isaiah prophesies judgment against Judah. Judah thinks itself safe because of its covenant relationship with God. However, God tells Judah (through Isaiah) that the covenant cannot protect them when they have broken it by the worship of other gods and by acts of injustice and cruelty, which oppose God's law. At the same time, he offers hope to Israel when he prophesies about the coming of the Messiah who will judge with integrity.
Indeed, the prophet did not mince words when he said that the Messiah “Shall not judge by what his eyes sees or decide by what his ears hears but with righteousness, he shall judge the poor and decide with equity for the meek of the earth…” (Isaiah 11:3-4).
The Jews pride themselves in the fact that they are the chosen people of God. However, they remain insincere in the worship of God. Judgment awaits all who think that they can serve two masters. The judgment that awaits each one of us is no respecter of persons. It does not consider status, accomplishment, successes and the like. Judgment cannot be bought with money like how people are buying justice in Ghana. The only collateral for escaping the wrath of God is repentance.
Christians are called to be men and women of integrity, sincerity and honesty. This is because he who judges, judges with integrity.
When we live a life of integrity and sincerity, our peace will be like a river and our righteousness like the waves of the sea .This is the kind of peace that Isaiah draws our attention to today; that peace that enables men and women, rich and poor, the powerful the vulnerable and susceptible to live together. The Prophet says that “The wolf shall live with the lamb; the leopard shall lie down with the kid… the nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den. They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea ” (Isaiah 11:6,8-9).
John in the Gospel Reading, like the Prophet Isaiah, offers hope to sinners like us in the midst of God’s judgment. For instance when the Baptist saw the Pharisees and Sadducees stepping forward for baptism, he said to them “You brood of vipers! Who told you to flee from the wrath to come? Give some evidence of that you mean to reform. Do not pride yourselves on the claim, ‘Abraham is our father.’ I tell you, God can raise up children of Abraham from these very stones” (Matthew 3:7-9).
John’s concern transcends the traditional view that one acquires knowledge of God by one’s birth into Israel. No, one does not become an heir to the promises made to Abraham just by birth. One must know the Lord personally that is, to do his will. Therefore, salvation is a choice. Our parents may have baptised us while we were infants, we may have received the Sacraments of Christian Initiation namely Baptism, Holy Eucharist, and Confirmation. We might have even held responsible positions in the Church. Today, John tells all of us that what is necessary for salvation is repentance.
John not only proclaims the coming of the reign of God, but the coming of the person of Jesus. In this proclamation, he surpasses all his prophetic predecessors. John’s Baptism fulfilled two purposes namely: it prepared the nation for Christ and it presented Christ to the nation. John mentions two other baptisms: a baptism of the Spirit and a baptism of fire (cf Matt.3:11). The Baptism of the Holy Spirit took place at Pentecost. In contrast, baptism of fire refers to the future judgment at the Parousia. This means that whenever we are baptised, we are baptised into the Holy Spirit and by extension, we are liable to judgment at the end of time.
In the Second Reading, Paul gives us one practical example of true repentance namely living in harmony with one another. For he says “May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another…” (Romans 15:5). Paul believes that we cannot worship God in a conflict prone community. We cannot worship God in an environment in which people do not feel accepted and loved.
Sin is the only thing that can wound our relationship with God. Insincerity hurts human relations and for the people of Israel, it has hurt their relationship with their maker. We are called to be sincere because sincerity is that light of the mind in which nothing remains unclear. Insincerity is that darkness of the mind in which a man strays away from the right path. Let us be sincere. A person who is sincere cannot be deceived. Only that person can be deceived whose heart is unclear.
In sum, both the Prophet Isaiah and John the Baptist offer every Christian hope. But we can only share in this hope when we repent of our sins. This is what this season of Advent offers each and every one of us. Let us celebrate our calling as Christians because God’s calling and choice of us are irrevocable ( cf Romans 11:29).
Isaiah 11:1-10 /Psalm 72/ Romans 15:4-9/ Matthew 3:1-12
Agorsor Aaron Agbeshie
Theme: The joy of Christian Hope
Don’t give up loving. Don’t give up your goodness even if people around you sting. God desires “Steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God, rather than the burnt offering” (Hosea 3:6). Though we are sinners, God does not treat us the way we should be or the way we deserve, or the way that is just. God treats us with loving kindness, steadfast love. This is His nature. “Hope will not fail us because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Spirit has given to us” (Romans 5:5). The readings of today offer every Christian hope and an opportunity to repent.
In the First Reading, Isaiah prophesies judgment against Judah. Judah thinks itself safe because of its covenant relationship with God. However, God tells Judah (through Isaiah) that the covenant cannot protect them when they have broken it by the worship of other gods and by acts of injustice and cruelty, which oppose God's law. At the same time, he offers hope to Israel when he prophesies about the coming of the Messiah who will judge with integrity.
Indeed, the prophet did not mince words when he said that the Messiah “Shall not judge by what his eyes sees or decide by what his ears hears but with righteousness, he shall judge the poor and decide with equity for the meek of the earth…” (Isaiah 11:3-4).
The Jews pride themselves in the fact that they are the chosen people of God. However, they remain insincere in the worship of God. Judgment awaits all who think that they can serve two masters. The judgment that awaits each one of us is no respecter of persons. It does not consider status, accomplishment, successes and the like. Judgment cannot be bought with money like how people are buying justice in Ghana. The only collateral for escaping the wrath of God is repentance.
Christians are called to be men and women of integrity, sincerity and honesty. This is because he who judges, judges with integrity.
When we live a life of integrity and sincerity, our peace will be like a river and our righteousness like the waves of the sea .This is the kind of peace that Isaiah draws our attention to today; that peace that enables men and women, rich and poor, the powerful the vulnerable and susceptible to live together. The Prophet says that “The wolf shall live with the lamb; the leopard shall lie down with the kid… the nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den. They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea ” (Isaiah 11:6,8-9).
John in the Gospel Reading, like the Prophet Isaiah, offers hope to sinners like us in the midst of God’s judgment. For instance when the Baptist saw the Pharisees and Sadducees stepping forward for baptism, he said to them “You brood of vipers! Who told you to flee from the wrath to come? Give some evidence of that you mean to reform. Do not pride yourselves on the claim, ‘Abraham is our father.’ I tell you, God can raise up children of Abraham from these very stones” (Matthew 3:7-9).
John’s concern transcends the traditional view that one acquires knowledge of God by one’s birth into Israel. No, one does not become an heir to the promises made to Abraham just by birth. One must know the Lord personally that is, to do his will. Therefore, salvation is a choice. Our parents may have baptised us while we were infants, we may have received the Sacraments of Christian Initiation namely Baptism, Holy Eucharist, and Confirmation. We might have even held responsible positions in the Church. Today, John tells all of us that what is necessary for salvation is repentance.
John not only proclaims the coming of the reign of God, but the coming of the person of Jesus. In this proclamation, he surpasses all his prophetic predecessors. John’s Baptism fulfilled two purposes namely: it prepared the nation for Christ and it presented Christ to the nation. John mentions two other baptisms: a baptism of the Spirit and a baptism of fire (cf Matt.3:11). The Baptism of the Holy Spirit took place at Pentecost. In contrast, baptism of fire refers to the future judgment at the Parousia. This means that whenever we are baptised, we are baptised into the Holy Spirit and by extension, we are liable to judgment at the end of time.
In the Second Reading, Paul gives us one practical example of true repentance namely living in harmony with one another. For he says “May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another…” (Romans 15:5). Paul believes that we cannot worship God in a conflict prone community. We cannot worship God in an environment in which people do not feel accepted and loved.
Sin is the only thing that can wound our relationship with God. Insincerity hurts human relations and for the people of Israel, it has hurt their relationship with their maker. We are called to be sincere because sincerity is that light of the mind in which nothing remains unclear. Insincerity is that darkness of the mind in which a man strays away from the right path. Let us be sincere. A person who is sincere cannot be deceived. Only that person can be deceived whose heart is unclear.
In sum, both the Prophet Isaiah and John the Baptist offer every Christian hope. But we can only share in this hope when we repent of our sins. This is what this season of Advent offers each and every one of us. Let us celebrate our calling as Christians because God’s calling and choice of us are irrevocable ( cf Romans 11:29).
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