HOMILY FOR THE 2ND TUESDAY OF THE ADVENT — YEAR A
HOMILY FOR THE 2ND TUESDAY OF THE ADVENT — YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: CONSOLATION THEOLOGY!
BY: Fr. Benedict Agbo
Isaiah 40:1-11, Ps. 96:1-3,10-13, Matthew 18:12-14
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem
What we find in the 40th Chapter of the Book of the Prophet Isaiah – the New Testament gospel in the Old Testament, is the message of hope for the poor which is the main thesis of CONSOLATION THEOLOGY : that branch of theology that focuses attention on the spiritual needs of the ‘3rd World Countries’, the suffering people of God, the war – torn zones of the wold, the wretched of the earth, the sick and the down troden. The Word of God, as presented in the 1st reading of today says: ‘Speak tenderly to Jerusalem… tell her that her warfare is ended ( deliverance ministry), her iniquity is pardoned (healing of family sinful background), and that she has received double portion blessings from God (prosperity gospel). Isaiah continues. When the people have imbibed this message, then shall the glory of the Lord be revealed in their lives. George Friedrich Handel articulated these words so beautifully in his most popular hit – THE MESSIAH : ‘O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion. Get thee up to the high mountains… Say onto the cities of Judah, ‘Behold your God comes with might to feed his flock like a Shepherd and gather the lambs in his arms, carrying them in his bosom and gently lead those that are with young’.
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Mhh! Very powerful passage that requires deep reflection and concrete contextualization. But for lack of time to do that, let me just anchor the gospel of today where Jesus announced that ‘It is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish’. These lessons are significant to me as perhaps imperfect but good examples illustrating my take on today’s readings on Consolation theology. That reading from Isaiah addresses both our ministry of consolation to the poor and the sick. We must imitate God in ‘speaking tenderly to Jerusalem’ in order to bring her straying sons back always. May God help us to continue to grow in learning and remain relevant in His vineyard.
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