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HOMILIES ARCHIVE
HOMILIES
Dear Audience,For better understanding of the spiritual message behind this homily I kindly remind you to first read and contemplate the biblical texts before reading or listening to my preaching - a human reflection on the Word of God!
The Nativity of the Lord (Mass at Midnight)
1827
6
0First Reading
A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah (9:1-6)
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, as they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as people make merry when dividing spoils. For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, and the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian. For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for flames. For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David's throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this!
(P) The word of the Lord.(R) Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalms of David (96:1-2, 2-3, 11-12, 13)
(R) Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.
Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all you lands. Sing to the Lord; bless His name. (R)
Announce His salvation day after day. Tell His glory among the nations; among all peoples, His wondrous deeds. (R)
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea and what fills it resound; let the plains be joyful and all that is in them! Then shall all the trees of the forest exult. (R)
They shall exult before the Lord, for He comes; for He comes to rule the Earth. He shall rule the world with justice and the peoples with His constancy. (R)
Second Reading
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to Titus (2:11-14)
Beloved: The grace of God has appeared, saving us all the training to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately; justly and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of our great God and savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for Himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good.
(P) The word of the Lord.(R) Thanks be to God.
Gospel
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (2:1-14)
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests."
(P) The Gospel of the Lord.(R) Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Homily
One day a man was walking along a deserted road. When he saw three men approaching him from the opposite direction he was frightened of being robbed, beaten and killed. So he ran and climbed a wall and went into a cemetery where he lay down in an open grave to hide. Puzzled at his action, the three men followed him. They found him stretched out, tense, and shaking. They asked him, "What are you doing in the grave? Why do you have to hide in there? We saw you running away. Can we help you?" Only then the man realized that he has been wrong and that they were just travellers like him. So he said to them, "To answer your question why I am here, please know, I am here because of you and you are here because of me."
Why are we here tonight? Of course we are here because of Christ, the Messiah and He is here because of us. He is God but has become man for our sake. We are here to welcome Him, adore Him, worship Him, praise Him, talk and listen to Him. He is here to fill our life with hope, peace, joy, love and light. Yes. Even Isaiah, the prophet foretold these things seven hundred years before the birth of Christ. Since then the people of Israel have been waiting in much anticipation and millions of people have celebrated the birth of Christ for over two thousand years. Every year we gather to celebrate it solemnly. But how many of us are truly filled with hope, peace, joy, love and light? Not many of us. Often times we find ourselves in gloom, distress, anxiety and fear even when we ought to be strong and hopeful, happy and peaceful. I wonder whether it is because of our unfaithfulness to God and our unbelief in the power of God.
In the days of Isaiah the people of Israel were in a state of political insecurity and spiritual darkness. The spiritual darkness was the result of their unfaithfulness to God and persistent unbelief in the promises of God to their forefathers. To give light to those in darkness and alleviate their anxiety and fear, God sent the prophet with the message of hope, peace, joy and love. The prophet not only spoke to them about the coming of the Messiah but also the preparation for it. He desperately pleaded with them to put their trust in the Lord God and urged them to walk in the light of the Lord until the day of the coming of the Messiah. But the people refused to heed the prophet's calls to repent and reform and be faithful to God.
In today's text the prophet foresees the time when the people who have been walking in darkness would see a great light. The great light is born as a child whose name is Emmanuel. Seven hundred years after Isaiah, the prophecy of Christ the Messiah as the light to all mankind is fulfilled in the person of Jesus from the house of Jacob. John in his gospel (8:12) testifies that Jesus declares Himself as the light, "I am the light of the world; anyone who follows me will not be walking in the dark, but will have the light of life." The prophet also predicts that Christ the light would bring to all people abundant joy and great rejoicing instead of gloom and sorrow; rich harvests and prosperity instead of famines and destruction; relief and freedom instead of burden and oppression, security and peace instead of insecurity and conflicts. The prophet then describes the child as "Wonder-Counselor", "God-Hero", "Father-Forever" and "Prince of Peace".
Friends, the Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever and Prince of Peace is here with us. Let us truly welcome Him, adore Him, worship Him, praise Him, talk to Him and listen to Him. Before turning to human beings and books let us turn to His Word - the scriptures for knowledge and wisdom. When we put our faith in Him, He can clear up all our confusion and answer the deepest questions of life. When we feel helpless or burdensome let us turn to Him for support and strength. Our Mighty God is completely capable of bringing all things to His own end and purposes. When we are abandoned or forsaken by others let us turn to Him for love and compassion. Our Eternal Father never leaves us orphaned or insecure. When we are anxious and restless let us turn to Him for He is the only one who can give us deep inner peace.
Tonight as we celebrate and rejoice, let us receive this great light amidst us so that we may be led by the Light to the great victory in our battle with sin.
(P) Amen.God Bless You!
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