Second Sunday of Advent, Year A – Nov 4, 2016
Readings: Is 11:1-10; Responsorial Psalm Ps 72:1-2. 7-8.12-13.17.CR.cf.7; Rom 15:4-9; Gospel Mat 3:1-12.
Theme: The Imperative of Being Heralds of Christ’s Second Coming!
My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, the Second Sunday of Advent presents us with realities that are meant to perfectly prepare us for the celebration of Christ’s nativity. We shall reflect on four points in the light of our readings:
1. John as Jesus’ Forerunner – The events leading to the birth of St. John the Baptist clearly reveals the task God had for him. The child, John, had leapt in the womb of his mother, Elizabeth at the greeting of her cousin, the Blessed Virgin Mary. The eventful episode of Ein Kerem (Jerusalem) as found in Luke 1:39-56 reminds us about the remote stages of setting John aside for the great task of preparing the people for the coming of Christ. In no small way did he carry the sacred task of preparing the people for the eventual arrival of Jesus. This has great lessons for us as we shall soon discover.
2. Christians as Heralds of Jesus’ Second Coming _– Just as John was resolute in preparing the people for the coming of Christ, Christians today are charged to live out their baptismal commitments to the full by being heralds of Christ’s second coming. Jesus would use the recipe of salt and the analogy of light to buttress this point (Cf.5:13-16).
This means that in our homes, places of work and even in politics, we must never lose our saltiness nor allow the light of our lives to grow dim. In a secular world which seeks to annihilate God and good morals, we must stand our ground by raising the stakes in order to make the message of Christ’s love more real and visible.
3. Reception of Sacraments as a Prerequisite for Preparation – That the people were docile to the words of John challenges us to ask ourselves whether we have always accepted the Word of God for what it is, and not conceiving it as mere human thinking as St. Paul would say (Cf. 1 Thess 2:13). Indeed, the ministry of St. John the Baptist led the people to confess their sins and receive the baptism of repentance.
Advent gives us another opportunity to wash ourselves clean through the sacrament of confession where we enjoy God’s unfathomable love and mercies. Shall we emulate the congregation of John and approach the throne of grace with assurances that our sins would be wiped away? Lapsed-Catholics and those who are not yet communicants should make hay while the sun shines. In this season of Advent, the reception of sacraments is a prerequisite for adequate preparation to meet the Lord at his coming.
4. Boldness in Speaking the Truth as Evidence of a Good Advent – John the Baptist spoke without mincing words. He was bold, fearless and courageous in speaking the truth – in fact, he was forthright in the task God entrusted to him. In the long run, John would die a martyr’s death “on the orders of Herod Antipas through the vengeful request of his step-daughter Salome and her mother.” He paid the supreme price because he spoke truth to power.
Instead of being bold and courageous enough to stand for the truth in any situation, we often find ourselves betraying Christ implicitly or explicitly. Some court-prophets would haven eaten the Abuja sugarcane prophesy in favour of preserved politicians giving it divine endorsement.
The Prophet Isaiah in the first reading (Isaiah 11:1-10) prophesies about one whose dwellings shall be glorious and the nations shall seek - This points to Jesus, whom John speaks about. That righteousness is said to be the belt of his waist and faithfulness the belt of his loins, indicates that holiness is the girdle for all Christians during this the season of Advent.
This call to holiness in the mold of our Master, Jesus, is a wakeup call to all Christians, especially Gentiles who are direct beneficiaries of the fulfillment of God’s promises as the second reading suggests (Rom 15:4-9). May this Advent help us to emulate St. John the Baptist in proclaiming Christ’s second coming in word and deed as we graciously receive the sacraments while proclaiming Christ to the world without fear or favour. Amen. Have a great week ahead!
Nota Bene: On a sad note, the Catholic Diocese of Bauchi mourns the painful exit of Very Rev. Fr. Amons Nyangu who met his untimely death in an unfortunate circumstance near his residence when a hit-and-run driver overran him at 8:00pm on Sunday November 27, 2016 around Lamet, Bukuru express way, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State while he was out for a walk – a regular routine he is used to for years.
A Tribute to a Fallen Soldier of Christ -
Some years ago, God sent an eloquent, diligent and disciplined teacher to St. John Vianney Minor Seminary. His biblical CRK classes were graphic and decked morals. With nostalgia, I remember how the class of 98 used to call him “Gehazi” because of the way he imprinted the story of greedy Gehazi in our minds – Every two weeks we were sure of evaluation.
He is no other person than Very Rev. Fr. Amos Nyangu. Before his motor accident (which he survived at the time) that separated us, he had talked about the creation of Bauchi Diocese in 1996, noting that the diocese needed priests. In an excited manner, I and Fr. Henry Dabang gave it a short since most of our friends like Fr. Philip Kasuwa were from Bauchi.
The long and short of the story is, were it not for Fr. Nyangu, I probably would not have been in Bauchi - I remain grateful to him. I miss his sense of duty, openness, fraternal correction and cheerful disposition. Unfortunately, most of us were too busy to come around, fraternise or tell you how much you impacted in our lives – please forgive us. The young priests of Bauchi would miss your fatherly role.
Funeral Arrangements
Wake keep Masses: Sunday 4, Dec. 2016 - Bauchi Deanery 6:30pm; Gombe 8pm, Tafawa Balewa 9:30pm; Yelwa 11pm.
Funeral Mass - Monday 5, Dec. 2016 by 10am. Venue: St. John's Cathedral, Bauchi, Bauchi State.
We trust that the father of mercies would be merciful in judging this fallen soldier of Christ. May he unlock the gates of the golden palace for you - Eternal rest grant unto him Oh Lord and may perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace with the Lord. Amen.
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