Homily for 4th Sunday of Advent, Year C.
{Micah 5:1-4;Hebrews 10:5-10;Luke 1:39-44}
During the Advent season and as we prepare for Christmas, there is somebody we hardly talk about and that person is very important. The person is: Elizabeth. We have so much we can learn from Elizabeth. Today’s gospel reading is focused on her. Let us see what we can learn from the personality of Elizabeth.
1) Elizabeth teaches us not to be envious of other people’s blessings. Elizabeth was happy for Mary and the baby she carried. Envy can make us forget our own blessings. Elizabeth was aware and grateful that God has also blessed her with a child. She was not competing or comparing with Mary. Brothers and sisters, please, let us stop comparing ourselves or competing with others. Be Happy for other people. Celebrate their joys, successes and blessings with them. Please, let us remove envy from our lives. Envy is bad. Count your own blessings.
2) Elizabeth teaches us to live holy lives. She was prayerful and continued to avoid sin in her life and God answered her prayers. We are called this period to go for confession, be prayerful and to live holy lives. Please, go for confession. At Christmas, Jesus will not enter a heart of sin. Let us purify ourselves to welcome Jesus into our hearts and our lives at Christmas and always.
3) Elizabeth’s story teaches us that gossip is bad. People laughed at Elizabeth and called her barren. You can imagine the pains she went through. But she kept trusting in God. Brothers and sisters, let us stop gossiping about others. If you don’t have anything good to say about another person, please, keep quiet. Also, if people are gossiping about you, don’t react, don’t worry. God will help you.
4) Elizabeth teaches us that God’s time is the best. Elizabeth waited for many years to have a child. It was not easy for her, but she continued to trust in God. It is good to be patient, to persevere and don’t give up. God listens to our prayers and He will answer our prayers at His own time and according to His will. God is never late. Have faith. Trust in God. God will grant you your heart desires. I advice you today, don’t worry, don’t doubt, don’t complain. Trust in God. Elizabeth did not visit any herbalist, juju priest or priestess or shrine, prayer house or fake pastors. Please stop patronising those people. They will only eat your money. Have faith. Your miracles will come.
5) Finally, the name Elizabeth means: God will keep His promise. God kept His promise for Elizabeth. I pray for you: Through the power of the Holy mass, God will keep His promises in your life and your family. God does not lie. God does not fail or disappoint. The promises of God on your life will be fulfilled, through Christ Our Lord amen.
*By Fr. Kris Ikegwuonu, MDM (Fr. Galala).
No comments:
Post a Comment