HOMILY OF FIRST FRIDAY OF ADVENT — YEAR A

HOMILY OF FIRST FRIDAY OF ADVENT — YEAR A

HOMILY THEME: FAITH IN GOD’S MERCY HEALS

BY: Fr Isaac Awe

Isa 29:17-24; Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14; Matt 9:21, 27-31

Are there any blind-spots in our lives that keep us from recognizing God’s power and mercy? Faith opens the way for us to see the power of God’s kingdom and to experience his healing presence in our lives. The word mercy literally means “sorrowful at heart”. But mercy is something more than compassion, or heartfelt sorrow at another’s misfortune. Compassion empathizes with the sufferer. But mercy goes further; it removes suffering. A merciful person shares in another’s misfortune and suffering as if it were his own. In Jesus we see the fullness of God’s mercy and the power of his kingdom, power to save from death and destruction, to forgive sins and lift the burden of guilt, and to heal infirmities and release the oppressed. Jesus never refused to bring God’s mercy to those who earnestly sought it.

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How can we seek and obtain God’s mercy? God gives mercy to the lowly in heart. to those who recognize their need for God and for his forgiveness and healing power. Faith is a gift freely given by God to help us know God personally, to understand his truth, and to live in the power of his love. For faith to be effective it must be linked with trust and obedience, an active submission to God and a willingness to do whatever he commands. When two blind men approached Jesus, he questioned their earnestness in order to test and strengthen them in faith and trust in his power. Their faith grew as they responded to his word with confident hope. He restored their sight both physically and spiritually to the reality of his kingdom. The Lord Jesus wants us to live in the confident expectation that he will fulfil his promises to us and bring us into the fullness of his kingdom, a kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). Do we know the peace and joy of God’s kingdom?

PRAYER: Lord, help us to draw near to you with confidence and trust in your saving power and mercy. Free us from doubt and unbelief that we may approach you confidently and pray boldly with expectant faith. Let your kingdom come and may your will be done in us. Amen.

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