YEAR A: HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE 1ST WEEK OF ADVENT (2)

YEAR A: HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE 1ST WEEK OF ADVENT

HOMILY THEME: OUR GENERATION NEEDS FAITH

BY: Rev. Fr. Jacob Aondover ATSU

HOMILY: READINGS: ISAIAH 29:17-24, PSALM 27, MATTHEW 9:27-31

Brothers and sisters in the Lord, the place of faith in our relationship with the coming Messiah is indispensable. Acts of the Apostles 16:31 clearly states: “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you shall be saved…” and Ephesians 2:8,9 tells us that we are saved by grace through faith. Beloved, the two blind men whom Jesus cured in Matthew 9:27-30 were healed courtesy of their faith; “According to your faith let it be done to you” Jesus said. (He would have saved them even without their faith because of his mercy and gratuitousness though).

Ours my dear friends is noticeably, a generation that wants everything to be done extraordinarily without ‘our efforts’. Masses for the sick are held in many parishes, people flock in with different ailments, demonic possessions, and evil manipulations etc; whilst some are touched instantly, others endure a prolonged wait. Today’s gospel comes in handy addressing those who sometimes are seemingly untouched by the saving hand of Christ. It addresses the question of ‘faith’.

My worry now is why our situation is different; where there is an obvious display of stark lack of faith even by those who desire a saving from Christ. People of this generation don’t believe in effort, we want our prayers heard and our sicknesses and worries taken off our shoulders, yet we allow doubt to occupy our minds even as we approach Jesus. The call is simple, Jesus can and will hearken to our call; however, our faith is needful.

As we await the reign of fruitfulness when the blind shall see and the deaf hear; the poor exult and the meek obtain joy; when our shame will be wiped off and our faces stop being pale as occasioned by worry; when those who err in spirit will come to understanding and those who murmur accept instruction (Isa. 29:17-24); we pray the coming Messiah to increase our faith now and always.

We pray this advent:
 that the reign of the unrepentant tyrants or wicked men/women tormenting the innocent of our day come to NOTHING
 that those who are arrogant and evil inclined be CUT OFF
 that those who abuse their powers by condemning the just and ensnaring the lowly be shamed should they stay recalcitrant (Isa. 29:20-21)
 finally, may we, the children Jacob see God’s work in our lives and praise him always. And may we never be put to shame nor wrapped in fear (Isa. 29:22). Amen

FEED AND EDUCATE ONE POOR.