Homily for Thursday, 6th day within the Octave of Christmas

Theme: Life of Detachment.

By: Fr. Gerald M. Musa

Homily for Thursday December 30 2021

St. John warns about the danger of attachment to the things of the world. We can learn something about detachment from the selfless life of Anna the Prophetess who chose to live a contemplative life soon after the death of her husband. She dedicated her life to worshipping, fasting, and praying night as she waited patiently for the Messiah. We can also learn from a young lady, Gretchen Erlichman who became a Dominican Nun. She wrote an article titled, “Why I am entering the Monastery in 2021.” She gives lucid answers to relations, friends, acquaintances and strangers who questioned her decision to live a contemplative life. They thought she was running away from the chaos and problems of the world by shutting herself in a cloister. She responds, “I am not going into the monastery to escape the world or display false piety. I am entering religious life so that I may follow the particular vocation by which I can most perfectly fulfil my purpose as a Christian member of human society.In denying herself the things of the world, a nun radically affirms the reality of both good and evil in the world. In entering the cloister, she frees herself to enter more deeply into the suffering of a suffering world. And by closing her eyes in prayer, she is able to open her heart to a world so desperately in need.” Are we making progress in our efforts to detach from the many attractions of the world?

1 John 2:12-17; Luke 2:36-40; 30th December, Christmastide.