HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE 3RD WEEK OF ADVENT.
THEME: FATHER’S BLESSINGS.
BY: Fr. Karabari Paul.
‘In those days: Jacob called his sons and said, “Assemble and hear, O sons of Jacob, and hearken to Israel your father.”‘
Old Testament fathers placed their hands on their children’s heads and spoke certain promises over them, believing the blessing of God could be passed from one generation to another. It’s why ‘Isaac called Jacob, and blessed him’ (Genesis 28:1). It is why Jacob refused to die before blessing his grandchildren (see Genesis 48:14). In the First Reading (Gen 49:2.8-10), Jacob called his children and declared blessings over Judah.
Every parent has divine authority over their children. The prodigal Son acknowledged he sinned against heaven and against his father. A revolt against his earthly father was a revolt against heaven. This is why a father’s declaration over his children are powerful and effective. However, in this part of the world, instead of blessing children, invoking amadioha in a curse over children 100 times a day has become part of parenting strategies.
READ ALSO: HOMILY FOR THE 4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT YEAR A.
Children without the care of their fathers often spend their whole lives searching for a sense of identity and self-worth. Increasingly they are finding them in the company of rebellious peer groups, terrorists, kidnappers, street gangs, drug dealers, and others. And we see the results of it all around us. Instead of fulfilling their God-given destiny, these kids become defined and labelled by a lifestyle such as ‘cultist’, ‘convict’, ‘troublemaker’, ‘addict’, Before Tupac Shakur, the rap artist known for his violent song lyrics, was gunned down in 1996, he said, ‘I never knew my real father. I know for a fact that if I’d had a father, I would have some discipline [and] more confidence. Your mother can calm you down, reassure you, show you where your manhood is. But you need a man to teach you how to be a man.’
When a man was brought to Him for healing, before Jesus forgave and healed him, He called him ‘son’. He didn’t say, ‘You have to clean up your act,’ or ‘You must do things My way.’ No, He established a relationship with the man by showing him love and acceptance. And as a father you need to do the same. Loving and accepting your kids as they are, without conditions while discipline them when they go wrong, getting them closer to God is the greatest gift you can give them.
As a father no matter the offence, resist the temptation of placing a curse on your child. It is wrong especially when it is done in anger. GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE. May God have mercy on us, heal our world and land, bless and protect us all through Christ Our Lord Amen. Good morning.
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