HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE 3RD WEEK OF ADVENT. (2)

HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE 3RD WEEK OF ADVENT.

THEME: John the Baptist, was a lamp alight and shining.

BY: Fr. Diotacious Chikontwe SMA.

*READINGS OF THE DAY*
Isaiah 56:1-3,6-8
Psalm 66:2-3,5,7-8
John 5:33-36

*LITURGICAL COLOUR*
PURPLE/VIOLET

*FROM THE FIRST READING*
There is a very strong sense in today’s first reading that the God of Israel is the God of all nations. The Temple in Jerusalem, which was considered to be God’s house, where God dwelt in a special way, is to be open not only to Jews but to every one of every nationality, ‘my house will be called a house of prayer, for all the peoples’. According to the reading, no foreigner should every say, ‘The Lord will surely exclude me from his people’. This very inclusive, welcoming, God was fully revealed by Jesus, Emmanuel, God-with-us. He shared table with those considered religious and those regarded as sinners, with the rich and the poor. Jesus revealed the hospitable love of God for all.

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*FROM THE GOSPEL READING*
In this morning’s gospel reading Jesus refers to John the Baptist as a lamp alight and shining who gave his testimony to the truth. Jesus was the light and John was a lamp; Jesus was the truth, whereas John bore witness to the truth; Jesus was the Word, whereas John was the voice; Jesus was the bridegroom and John was the friend of the bridegroom. The person that John was in relation to Jesus is the person we are all called to become in relation to Jesus.

*CONCLUSION*
If Jesus is the Word, our calling is to be the voice that proclaims the Word by our lives. If Jesus is the bridegroom we are friends of the bridegroom called to live as his friends by loving one another as he has loved us. Although John had been executed before Jesus had completed his public ministry, John remains an inspiration to us as we seek to become more fully the Lord’s disciples. John’s identity reveals a great deal about our own baptismal identity. His calling throws light on the calling we have received from the time of our baptism. He is the great Advent saint who continues to reveal Jesus to us and to reveal our full identity as followers of Jesus.

Maranatha Come Lord Jesus, the light of the world.

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