HOMILY OF SECOND FRIDAY OF ADVENT — YEAR A

HOMILY OF SECOND FRIDAY OF ADVENT — YEAR A

HOMILY THEME: SPIRITUAL INDIFFERENCE AND CONTEMPT

BY: Fr. Isaac Awe

Isaiah 48 : 17 – 19, Matthew 11 : 16 – 19

MEMORIAL: ST LUCY, VIRGIN, MARTYR

Anyone who follows you, o Lord, will have the light of life!

Dear friends in Christ, before we can claim to be following Christ, we must first know him who is the way, truth and the life. Hence, St Lucy whom we celebrates today knew, loved and served Christ with her time, talent and treasure and that is why she’s regarded as a virgin and martyr who gave all in order to gain all.

ALSO RECOMMENDED: HOMILY OF SECOND FRIDAY OF ADVENT 

The prophets in our readings today reminds us that God’s kingdom is open to those who are teachable and receptive to his word. Jesus’ parable about disappointed playmates challenge us to examine whether we are selective to only hear what we want to hear. The children in Jesus’ parable react with dismay because they cannot get anyone to join in their musical medley. They complain that if they play their music at weddings, no one will dance or sing; and if they play at funerals, it is the same. This refrain echoes the words of Ecclesiastes 3:4 — there is a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance. Are we in tune with the message of the kingdom? Jesus’ message of the kingdom of God is good news and it produces true joy and spiritual freedom for those who will listen; but it is also a warning for those who refuse to listen. Why did the message of John the Baptist and the message of Jesus meet with deaf ears and with stiff resistance? It was out of jealously and spiritual blindness that the scribes and Pharisees attributed John the Baptist’s austerities to the devil and they attributed Jesus’ table fellowship as evidence for messianic pretence.

They succeeded in frustrating God’s plan for their lives because they had closed their hearts to the message of John the Baptist and now to Jesus’ message. What can make us spiritually dull and slow to hear God’s voice? Like the generation of Jesus’ time, our age is marked by indifference and contempt, especially in regards to the things of heaven. Indifference dulls our ears to God’s voice and to the good news of the gospel. Only the humble of heart can find joy and favour in God’s grace. Do we know the joy of the gospel and is our life in tune with Jesus’s message of hope and salvation?

PRAYER: Lord, open our ears to hear the good news of your kingdom and set our hearts free to love and serve you joyfully. May nothing keep us from following you wholeheartedly. Amen

FOR A SIMILAR HOMILY, CLICK HERE>>>>>

Dear friends in Christ, We have been sustained by your Charity for the past 11years. Here we are saddled with annual bills. Please, be kind to us with your donation. Click on the “Donate” button to get started. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!