HOMILY OF FRIDAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS — YEAR A
HOMILY OF FRIDAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS — YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: “THE ONE WHO IS COMING AFTER ME; I AM NOT FIT TO UNDO HIS SANDAL-STRAP.”
BY: Bishop Anthony Ewherido
1 John 2:22-28; Psalm 97(98):1-4; John 1:19-28
Two things characterize Christmas season liturgies. The first is the continued articulation of the identity of Jesus. The second is the portrait of the proper response to the Manifestation of the Messiah. Today’s gospel presents Jesus as the Messiah, the one who existed before all things and is greater than all that there is.
ALSO RECOMMENDED: HOMILY OF FRIDAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS
Even as John identified himself as forerunner of Jesus, his function as a “voice crying in the wilderness” and his prophetic proclamations pointed to Jesus as the Lord, the one in whom ancient promises of return and restoration are fulfilled. Jesus is the Son of the Father, to whom we must all be open. John’s presentation of himself in relation to the one who comes after him is instructive; a teaching on humility. The proper response to his presence amongst us is a faithful openness, acceptance and embrace of him as the Christ, in addition to cultivating the kind of humility demonstrated by John the Baptist. Therefore, to deny that Jesus is the Christ, the coming one of God, is to deny God. Such denial is rebellion and creates, in the one who denies, the character of the Antichrist. An embrace of Jesus as the Christ brings one into communion with the Father and the Son, with the reward of eternal life. So, let us live in Christ, for that is what makes us children of God. That is also how we prepare to receive him at his second coming.
Lord, forgive our rebellious attitudes; open our hearts to your presence among us so that we may bring others to you. Amen.
FOR A SIMILAR HOMILY, CLICK HERE>>>>>
Dear friends in Christ, Your support for the past 12years has kept us going. We ask you to support us with your donations to enable us to upset our “annual bills”. Our priests are willing to offer Holy Masses for your Private Intentions. May you Click on “Next”, or the “Donate” button to get started. God bless you!!!
