Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

The Nativity of the Lord (Solemnity – Mass During the Night/Midnight Mass, Dawn Mass & Mass during the Day), Year B – Nov 25, 2017.

Readings: Mass During the Night/Midnight Mass - Is. 9:2-7; 

Ps 96:1-2a.2b-3.11-12.13(R. Lk2:11); Tit. 2:11-14 & Lk 2:1-14.

Dawn Mass - Is. 62:11-12; Ps 97:1.6.11-12; 2 Tit. 3:4-7 & Lk 2:15-20.

Mass during the Day/Day Mass – Is 52:7-10; Ps 98:1.2-3ab.3cd-4.5-6(R.3cd); 

Heb 1:1-6 & Jn 1:1-18 or Jn 1:1-5.9-14.

Theme: Christ Our Peace!

Introduction

Beloved in Christ, another Christmas is here again. The popular saying, “everyday is not Christmas” points to the epochal nature of the Christ’s event which we celebrate today. Among other themes, I have chosen “Christ our Peace” as the theme for this reflection given the fact that peace is a costly commodity in the world. The precarious nature of our society due to the shady activities of the Boko Haram sect in the North East calls for sober reflection. Amidst a grim scenario constantly starring us in the face, we shall reflect on the theme “Christ Our Peace.” 

Explication of Our Readings

The first reading from the Mass during the Night (Is. 9:2-7), reveals Christ as the “Prince of Peace.” The prophet further discloses that “of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end.” This startling revelation reveals the true nature of Christ as revealed in the Holy Scriptures. At his birth, the angles sang “Glory to God in the highest and peace to people of goodwill (Lk. 2:14). While giving the beatitudes Jesus insisted: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God; blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven and blessed are you when people insult you, persecute and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Matthew 5:1-12). Little wonder the first reading of the Mass at Dawn (Is. 62:11-12) speaks of the salvation of the Lord for his Holy people, the redeemed of the Lord. In line with the first reading of the Mass during the Day, the prophet Isaiah (Is. 52:7-10) says, blessed are the feet of the person “Who Publishes Peace.” 

The second reading from the Mass during the Night (Tit. 2:11-14) charges us to be zealous for good deeds. As a matter of fact, St. Paul gives a proviso for living in peace with God namely, renouncing irreligion and worldly passions as well as living sober lives while awaiting the blessed hope of the Lord. That of the Mass at Dawn (Tit. 3:4-7) assures that we are justified by grace and so are heirs of eternal life. Meanwhile, Apostle Paul reiterates that God saved us by his mercy and the spirit of regeneration. It is this spirit that gives us inner peace and helps us to be at peace with God and our neighbours. In the Mass during the Day (Heb. 1:1-6) the writer of the Letter to the Hebrews reminds us that God sent his Son in the final terms who appeared bearing the stamp of his glory and nature. His glory and nature is it were, are peace, his gift to humanity.

The gospel (Lk 2:15-20) of the Mass at Dawn recounts how the shepherds went and saw the child as they were told. What is striking is that “Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart.” This reveals her tranquil nature, a further indication of the bonding between mother and child and the fact that her child is the Prince of Peace. At Mass during the Day, St. John (Jn 1:1-18) reveals Jesus as the light who pre-existed as the Word and took flesh as Christ bringing grace and truth to humanity. This again points to Christ, our peace. If Christ is our peace, why do suffer persecution? Why does peace seem a scarce commodity in the world?  

The Suicide Attack in Maiduguri and the Need for Peace

In report “Maiduguri Diocese moans 3 Catechists killed by Boko Haram,” Vatican Radio recently disclosed that three Catechists of the Catholic Diocese of Maiduguri identified as Joseph Naga, 56 years who had worked as a Catechist for 36 yrs; John Manye 38 for 11 years and a student-Catechist identified as Patrick who was 27years were killed in a suicide attack last week Monday when two female suicide bombers detonated their vests outside a Church in Pulka, Gwoza Local Government Authority (LGA) of Borno State. 

According to the news, the bombs killed the three Catechists and injured several Catechumens who were waiting inside the Church to be interviewed in preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation which was slated for Wednesday, 13 December in the parish. Narrating the ordeal, the Diocesan Communications’ Director, Fr. Gideon Obasogie disclosed that “two young women accosted and hugged Joseph, the Catechist - The other two Catechists, John and Patrick, in the vicinity became concerned with what was happening. They rushed to rescue Joseph. As they drew near, the women detonated their bombs killing themselves, the three catechists and injuring dozens of Catechumens who were inside the Church.” May their souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace.

On this note, our hearts go with the families of the victims, the Catholic community in Pulka, the Catholic faithful of Maiduguri diocese and Bishop Oliver Doeme. It is in this kind of situation that the scripture tells us that Christ is the “Prince of Peace.” More often than not, Christians find it difficult to understand why evil strives and God seems silent. The belligerent nature of others had often tempted Christians to take the law in their hands or play God. If it is the nature of the suicide bombers to be cruel, it is in our mature to be peaceful because Christ has taught us so. While we insist that God is still in charge, we call on government to beef up more security in all churches across the country during this Christmas season.

Pastoral Lessons

1.  Since the angles sang “Glory to God in the highest and peace to people of goodwill” we must make efforts to be people of goodwill by initiating peace and interreligious engagements through intra and interfaith sessions aimed at promoting living in a pluralistic society.

2. Our response to conflict, crises and persecution must not change our tranquil nature which was taught and lived by our Master, the Prince of Peace simply because it is in the nature of others to be hostile.

3. We must also not overemphasize the principle of legitimate self-defense while neglecting avenues for promotion of love, justice and peace as demonstrated by Christ, our peace.

4. All Christians who face persecution should be consoled by the words of scripture which says: “Those who live by the sword would die by the sword” (Mt. 26:52-53).

5. The beatitudes gives us a blueprint to surviving in a precarious world that is both dangerous and provocative.

6. That Christ is the Prince of Peace does not remove us from dangerous situations and people – at least he has assured that we would be persecuted (Mt. 10:22).

7. Christmas is a moment for us to pray for peace in the Middle East, North East and other hot spots of the world so that God would dispose us to always celebrate our common humanity.

Homiletic Quotes to Remember

1. Blessed are the feet of the person “Who Publishes Peace.”

2. St. Paul gives a proviso for living in peace with God namely, renouncing irreligion and worldly passions.

3. It is God’s spirit that gives us inner peace and helps us to be at peace with God and our neighbours.

4. If it is the nature of the suicide bombers to be cruel, it is in our mature to be peaceful and forgive.

5.  We call on government to beef up more security in all churches across the country during this Christmas season.

Conclusion

I want to urge us to use the Christmas season to pray for families that are not living in peace; families that are torn apart by the painful reality of divorce; children who suffer as a result of family fracas and those how have been orphaned because of the activities of the insurgents in the North East. While we pray for them, we equally ask for God’s peace to reign in our hearts, homes, places of work, country and world. We can’t give peace if we don’t have it. As such, may we all be ambassadors of peace throughout the yuletide season as Christ transforms our cruel selves into copies of his glorious body. Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!