YEAR B: HOMILY FOR THE 2ND SUNDAY OF ADVENT (2)

YEAR B: HOMILY FOR THE 2ND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

HOMILY THEME: HUMILITY ! A WAY TO PREPARE FOR THE COMING OF THE SAVIOUR.

BY: Rev. Sr Justine Oluchi Egbedike, Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco.

HOMILY: SCRIPTURAL TEXT: Isaiah 40:1-5,9-11, Ps 85:9ab – 10, 2Peter 3:8-14, Mark 1:1-8)

Child of God, don’t you think we need a new voice of humility like John today, to prepare for the coming of Jesus? A new voice of humility, that never claimed equality with Christ.
“After me comes he who is mightier than l, the thong of of whose sandals l am not worthy to stoop down and untie.”

Humility, thus serves as the new voice for a new humanity and a world of peace with good tidings.
Now let us listen to the full Gospel reading of ( Mark 1:1-8) “The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who shall prepare your way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. ” John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, and had a leather belt around his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you the Holy Spirit .”

John in the above Gospel shows and educates us on how to prepare for the coming of Jesus in humility of life. What a revelation beyond human comprehension? What Isaiah prophesied in the Old Testament, proved and revealed itself in the New Testament “the voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight”. John the Baptist, appeared in the wilderness, preaching repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
However, we can see that John heralded the coming of Jesus in humility and sincerity without claiming to be Jesus or taking His position.
This is what you and me are called to do, in our day to day dealings with others. Never take people’s positions by cheating, rather help one another in humility of heart and to accept who we are and what we have become.

May l ask, how many times have you practiced the virtue of humility by putting others first and letting go in the interest of peace? Dying to oneself, accepting disgrace and shame as orchestrated by those closest to us (friends) or enemies.

Also the word of God said that a voice was crying in the desert ” prepare a way for the Lord”. May l ask again the content of our today’s Evangelists and prophets preaching. What do they preach about? Which voice do you listen to? Do their preaching show and talk about Christ? Do their preaching help people to prepare their lives, and make a straight path for the Lord ? Do their preaching draw people to confession of their sins and baptism of repentance ?

Beloved check, what you preach by your very life. The emphasis ought not be on money, instant miracles, healing, riches, business etc.

My dear Friend, l urge you to take good example from John, who preached with humility, the coming of the peaceful Messiah and had converts for God.

Moreover, If we don’t really want the second coming of Christ Jesus, to take us unaware, we must prepare sincerely with humility which is the mother of all virtues.

I pray with the word of God of lsaiah(40:1-5,9-11) that the God of Comfort, will pardon us all our iniquities, put an end to our cries and warfare. May every mountain, difficulty, sorrow, sickness, sin, and hill in our lives be made low, level and plain, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Together with the psalmist ( 85: 9-14) let us say ” Let us see, O Lord your mercy, and grant us your Salvation” Amen.

Do have a Happy Sunday and new week ahead.

Praying for you always.
Your Rev. Sr Justine Oluchi Egbedike, Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco.