HOMILY FOR 24TH DECEMBER, 4TH WEEK OF ADVENT
HOMILY FOR 24TH DECEMBER, 4TH WEEK OF ADVENT.
THEME: SPIRITUAL DYNASTY.
BY: Benedict Agbo (Rev Fr)
*2 Sam 7: 1 – 16, Lk 1: 67 – 79.
Afamefuna (meaning ‘may I be remembered for ever), Iroegbunam (meaning ‘may my enemies never triumph over
Let your whole life radiate God’s glory. In your studies, excel. In your place of work, portray diligence. When with friends, avoid speaking profanely. Dress modestly; avoid immoral attires. In matters of business, be smart, make wise business decisions. Never tarnish your integrity; hold tight to your Christian values
HOMILY FOR 24TH DECEMBER, 4TH WEEK OF ADVENT
HOMILY THEME: SPIRITUAL DYNASTY
BY: Fr Benedict Agbo
2 Sam 7: 1 – 16, Lk 1: 67 – 79
Afamefuna (meaning ‘may I be remembered for ever), Iroegbunam (meaning ‘may my enemies never triumph over me’) and Nwadike (meaning ‘may I have a powerful son’) among others are 3 Igbo names that carry the essential emblems of spiritual dynasty in Igbo/ African cosmology. These three values represent the prayer points of every reasonable man/ woman in Africa or even beyond. And these were exactly the blessings that God packaged for David (the biblical ‘man after God’s own heart’, Act 13: 22) as we find in today’s 1st reading. First, he was given a great name and a place appointed for his people Israel never to be obliterated from world history. Secondly, he was given rest from his enemies. God promised to make him a house (home) where he will finally relax after his battles with his enemies. Thirdly, he was promised an offspring after him that was to establish his kingdom for ever. Even when his biological son Solomon couldn’t do this because of human weaknesses, he finally fulfilled that promise in the genealogy of Jesus coming from the sociological family tree of David, Matt 1: 5, 16.
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David wanted to build a temple for God in appreciation of his love as if God’s continuing presence depended on a building. But God wanted a spiritual dynasty; the establishment of the saving power of His Son Jesus Christ is the greatest project of Christianity. It is secured through the 3 ‘R’s; Redemption, Repentance and Regeneration.
In today’s gospel, Zechariah celebrates through his great song of praise called the ‘Benedictus’, the gift of salvation, holiness and the priesthood being restored back to Israel the new people of God. The ‘horn of salvation’ was to sprout again from the house of Israel. Jesus Christ is that horn of salvation. An anonymous theologian says that ‘Jesus is like a software – He enters in our lives, scans our problems, edits our tensions, downloads solutions, and deletes our worries’.
As a parent, priest, teacher or helper, the greatest help you can render to your children, parishioners or students is not to give them food, money or build them Churches, but to show them how to relate with Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour. As we rise to welcome the new born King of kings, may we ask him to preserve our natme / identity as a nation, to give us peace especially during this season of Christmas and make our children greater than we are today. I wish you all a Happy Christmas!
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