YEAR A: HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE 3RD WEEK OF ADVENT (1)
YEAR A: HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE 3RD WEEK OF ADVENT
HOMILY THEME: THE WILL OF GOD
BY: Fr. Benny Tuazon
HOMILY:
(Mt. 1:18-25) Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent, Third Day of Simbang Gabi.
In today’s Gospel, the Third Day of Simbang Gabi, Joseph experienced his own Annunciation. Like Mary, it was hard for him to understand and accept God’s way of bringing Jesus, the Second Person of the Trinity, here on earth to fulfill His mission of saving mankind. The community knew, though Mary and been betrothed to her, that they had not lived together. It means they had not slept together. Thus, for Mary to have a child would mean Mary have had relations with another. To free Mary, Joseph planned to divorce her. But the angel told Joseph of the plan of God and who Jesus would be. He would be “Emmnauel” which means “God is with us.” Jesus will be God’s presence, in person, and address our dire situation. Joseph, like Mary, having known that it was God’s will, obeyed.
The theme “the will of God” is central to the Gospels during these Aguinaldo masses. The Church is trying to remind us of this very important theme. In fact, it is at the very centre of our relationship with God and our Christian faith. Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the prophets, judges, kings, apostles, saints, etc, all of those who were close to God and wanted to join the Kingdom had realized the importance of following God’s will.
Let me share this beautiful poem to you about the will of God. More or less. it says most of what God wills for His will and our understanding of it. It says;
The will of God will never take you, Where the grace of God cannot keep you. Where the arms of God cannot support you, Where the riches of God cannot supply your needs,
Where the power of God cannot endow you. The will of God will never take you, Where the spirit of God cannot work through you, Where the wisdom of God cannot teach you, Where the army of God cannot protect you, Where the hands of God cannot mold you. The will of God will never take you, Where the love of God cannot enfold you, Where the mercies of God cannot sustain you, Where the peace of God cannot calm your fears, Where the authority of God cannot overrule for you.
The will of God will never take you, Where the comfort of God cannot dry your tears, Where the Word of God cannot feed you, Where the miracles of God cannot be done for you,
Where the omnipresence of God cannot find you.
God’s will is non-negotiable. It is the best move we can ever have. More than our will or any other will no matter how intelligent and experienced will not fare with God’s will. It does not mean that we will stop thinking and reflecting. It just means that given our best effort to see how we will act, we should never forget to confer it with God’s will. In short, for every critical decision we are to make, we should allot time to pray and discuss with God about it.
Knowing God’s will require a relationship with and an experience of God. Familiarity with Him more or less let us in to His mind and heart and His will. I remember one time when me and my mother were looking for a perfect birthday gift for my father. We decided to give him a necktie. I picked one and told my mother that he would like it because of the good design and color. My mother quickly told me he would not. She picked another. We bought both. When my father received the ties, my mother was right. My father liked the tie she gave and politely appreciated the other. I asked my mother how did she know? She answered, “I should know. We had been married for more than forty years. I knew what she would want for a tie and for most of his will for that matter!”
Pray more. Do His will more. Read about Him in the Bible. Ask the Holy Spirit for inspiration. Learn from the Church. Be open. These are what will help us
