Homily Second Sunday of Advent B- Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Homily Second Sunday of Advent Year B- Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Readings: Isaiah 40: 1-5, 9-11; Ps 85: 9-14; 2 Pet 3:8-14 and Mark 1:1-8

    Preparing for the Comforting Jesus!

Amazing! December is already here, the very month Christ was born at Christmas! Few days ago, precisely in the darkness of that Thursday December,1st, here in the United States, President Barack Obama, Michelle the First Lady and the family lighted the Christmas tree, in preparation to welcome Christ the Light! Still on the same note of preparation, today we specifically celebrate the Second Sunday of Advent. Maybe I should call it “A Sunday of Comfort” or “Advent of Comfort,” the Coming of Comfort, (Nᾱham in Hebrew) at Christmas!

Usually when we expect an important guest, a royal guest, be it in our homes, seminary or other work places, and companies, we usually put up a commensurate royal external preparation, call it, “path clearing.”  By doing this, we want to be warm and compassionate. We want to make our guest comfortable, feel at home, and perhaps impress him or her, a little bit with the thoroughness of our preparations!

 In our faith and spiritual contexts getting ready for Christ at Christmas and at his second coming (Parousia) is a lot of work. Since Christ comes with love, comfort, forgiveness of sin, glory, care, and the tenderness of a Good Shepherd (John 10), much of a spiritual preparation is also expected from us, as expressed in the Scriptures today.

The first reading brings comforting words to a people whose whole world was in disarray and hopelessness; people who had no comfort and security. The first reading  summarizes the theology of exile (vv 1-2).  It gives reasons why there was exile at all. Of course it was not because of God’s lack of power, love and protection. Rather it was in response to people’s negligence of their faith in God, their sin. With Israel's endurance and atonement, the Lord uses the mouth of the prophets to bring them comfort and hope, which they needed so badly.

It says:

“Comfort, give comfort to my people, says, the lord. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her , that her service is at an end, her guilt is expiated; indeed, she has  received from the hand of the lord double for all her sins”(Isa 40:1-2).

 " Comfort my people." ! The Good news, is that  Israel is God’s people. God is forgiving and mighty. He can do and undo.  He can provide water in the desert and food in the wilderness. He  will not only liberate them, but will act like a Gentle Palestine Shepherd, feeding, gathering, carrying and bringing Israel safely to Jerusalem as a shepherd would to his flock ( Isa 40: 11). What a comforting message! However, Israel must prepare.

This message of preparedness is renewed and more spiritually deepened in the Gospel (Mark 1:1-8) and in the Second Reading (2 Pet 3:8-14). In the Gospel, humbly enough, John the Baptist, bears/heralds this message of preparation, the Good News, the glad  tidings, the euangelion  (mebasseret  Isa 40:9) through his call for baptism of  repentance, with forgiveness of sins.

In the same spirit, 2 Peter warns against lack of remorse and repentance. It warns against the danger of false teachers and doctrines, which may still be prevalent in our society today in all forms, sometimes in media, radio and disguise of  abuse of journalism, politics and religion.

Rather Advent reminds us of God’s role in our lives and journeys.  It is the reason that we want to  constantly  be aware of the truth, the importance of the Word of God, the promises of God, His care, love and mighty deeds in history, His Covenant with us-fulfilled in Christ. Particularly, in Advent we do not want to forget the importance of shared comfort in our salvation history. Israel needed one at that time. One of their prophets was even named "Comfort"= Nahum. I am pretty sure we still need one today. It is so important. In fact, one of my cousins is named "Comfort."

 In the new translation of the Nicene Creed we say individually but collectively "I believe." I believe, and I know you believe too, that Christ’s comfort is needed in our homes, in our hearts, communities and in our places of work. Those who have lost their loved ones, the poor, the homeless, jobless, and many others, who are going through all kinds of physical and psychological tragedies, need comfort.

 Each of us has received certain comforts and blessings from  Jesus Christ.  How we share this “divine comfort” with our neighbors, is how we shall prepare for Christmas and the Parousia.

Homily: First Sunday of Advent B- Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

First Sunday of Advent Year B- Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo
Readings: Isaiah 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7; Ps 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19; 1 Cor 1:3-9 and Mark 13:33-37.

Sufficient Grace of God for those who Hope in Him

The Season of  Advent marks a new sacred liturgical year. In the United States and in other English speaking church communities, the new translation of the Third Edition of the Roman missal is implemented. What a unity of faith, renewal of love and hope! God is always there in every moment of our history and times. We are invited to watch!

 Advent is a time we pray, prepare, expect and wait with hope for the coming of Christ, God’s Son, at Christmas! As indicated in the Bible readings of today, it is a watchful time we are called to reflect on our experience of God in the church, in our neighbors and in our salvation history- past, present and future struggles.

St. Paul in 1Corinthian in addressing a wobbling,  quarrelling and struggling Christian community, in the early stage of the development of their faith reminded everyone of the sufficient grace of God for those who hope and trust in Him. Paul writes:

“I give thanks to my God always on your account for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus, that in him you were enriched in very way, with all discourse and all knowledge, as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you, so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor 1:3-9).

In today’s Gospel, Markan Jesus reminds his disciples of the significance of this time of waiting. It is the Kairos, an important time, a quality time (Mark 1:15); a time nobody knows (Mark 13:33).  This time can only be handled by watchfulness, being alert, loving our neighbors, forgiving those who have offended us- asking those we have offended for forgiveness, and practicing charity with the poor, the needy of what we have, especially in excess, including health care, fundamental human rights, education, food, and roofs over their heads and clothing for their nakedness.

 As  Psalm 80 would put it, it is a time we employ the Lord in every components of our daily activities- commerce, religion, education, justice and politics. It is the time we continue to turn completely to him, seeking his face in order to be saved.

This was true of the the Israelites- returnee from the Babylonian exile in today's first reading, from Third Isaiah.  Granted there were frustrations, expectations disappointments and difficulties in an attempt to get adjusted to the returned homeland, they turned to the Lord. In addition, there were  tension between promised and fulfillment, “now “and “not yet," self- rule and justice were far fetched in the home land.

They resorted to prayers, laments, questions expressing sorrow, dependence and trust in God: “why do you let us wander, O Lord from your ways and harden our hearts so that we fear you not? … Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down, with the mountains quaking before you…”

God has answers  for every question of our lives:  the where? How? When? What and why (s)?  (Isa 63: 15, 17; and 64: 5),of all our struggles and sometimes frustrations. This has been the case throughout history of our salvation.

As we journey through this sacred season of Advent with hope, let us walk with a reassurance that God our Father is the porter and we are the clay, the works of his hands( Isa 64:2-7). Irrespective of our lives situations, may we go home today with this reassurance that God’s grace will always be sufficient unto all of us ,who trust and hope in him.

The Solemnity of Christ the King- Reflections- Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Thirty Fourth Sunday Year A: The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King

Readings: Ezek 34:11-2, 15-17; Ps 23:1-6; 1 Cor 15:20-26, 28 and Matt 25:31-46.

Imitating the reign of Christ, the Good Shepherd

Today we celebrate the feast of Christ the King which marks the end of the Liturgical season. Even though this feast brings the liturgical year to an end there is no end to recent increasing arguments between the “99 and the 1%”. There is no end to disputes between the “have-nots” and the “haves,” the wealthy and the poor, the filled and the empty, the employed and the unemployed, or to the question of who should our leader, our president or our king be. The search for justice and love is unending!

Do we not sometimes in our faith context act  like Pilate.  Do we not sometimes feel  or unconsciously act like the opponents of Jesus and the Roman soldiers in the passion narratives – limiting our knowledge of kingship to earthly dominion and power. The reign of Christ, his shepherding is not of this “world”- but of love and service!

The readings of today shed light on the true image of a model king –shepherd, a disciple after Christ who not only cares,  but loves God and his flock. He is generous with his gifts, treats one another well, ready to sacrifice and lay down his or her life for his sheep.

 This image is highlighted in  by  Prophet Ezekiel and Psalm 23. A good shepherd tends his flock with care and love. He seeks to rescue them from every place where they were scattered and guide them in the right path. Besides restful water he lead them!

Similarly, in the gospel of Matthew 25: 31-46, the good shepherd, separates the sheep from the goats. Each of us, in our various places of responsibilities and roles in the church, and in the society are called to watch out for that judgment day, by the way we care for our “little brothers” and “sisters”- including the disciples, the missionaries members of our faith communities and those in various needs.

Do we not also see this image in  John's gospel chapter 10 . But like Peter in the same gospel, especially in the passion narrative, we might be weak once upon a time by denying Christ, the good Shepherd in the way we treat our neighbors. But also like Peter in the Resurrection narrative we want to say to Christ, “Lord you know everything, you know that I love you,’ (John 21:17). We can do this by the  way we receive one other, missionaries and more especially the poor , those in prison,  the homeless, the aged, the sick and the less privilege.

Our prayer is that the Lord may increasingly bless  us  at various levels with good parents,  teachers,  pastors, prophets, evangelists, priests, mentors, spouses, friends, leaders within and outside the church- after the example of Christ the Good  and Loving Shepherd!

Thirty- Third Sunday of Year A- Reflections- Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

 

Thirty-Third Sunday of the Year- Reflections- Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Readings: Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-31; Ps 128:1-5; 1 Thess 5:1-6 and Matt 25:14-15,19-21.

Sharing our Gifts Is watchfulness for the Lord

With the current down-turn of world economy and global financial market one might be tempted to interpret the gospel parable of the talents just read, in terms of austerity measure. Some may think it is all about how we invest our money.  The readings today are pointing at something deeper, something else. Especially as we approach the end of the liturgical season, this week's  readings, like the parable of the 10 virgins, point at watchfulness and readiness for the coming of the Son of God. They point to acting responsibly and selflessly. They remind us that we are all gifted people, according to our abilities. We are called to watch for the Lord by making good use of these gifts, sharing them with our neighbors.

Take today’s gospel travelling master to be Jesus, and take the three people gifted with various talents to be each of us. What did the first two do with their talents? Without wasting time or idling around like the 5 foolish virgins of last Sunday’s reading, they worked hard multiplying their talents.  What did the third servant do with his talent?  He left his given  gift hidden in the ground, unproductive.  He went about complaining, blaiming others, criticizing even the master, the distributor of the talent, calling him names- horrible, a hard man!.

Like the foolish, unaccountable, unprepared virgins of last week, he fails to grasp the nature of his responsibility. His action represents not only laziness but also lack of love for the master. It represents a disciple who is trying to play safe, a disciple not ready to bear witness to the gospel at all times, not ready to keep watch for the return of the master. He says he was afraid, which is equivalent to faithlessness, lack of readiness and lack of trust in the master, the Lord.

Genuine “fear of the Lord,” of the master according to Psalm 128, rather consists in walking the walk, walking in the ways of the Lord, ways of love, charity and forgiveness, keeping his precepts. It consists in not sleeping but keeping awake in readiness for the day of the Lord (Zeph1:14-18). St. Paul says in the Second reading, ‘Let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us stay alert and sober” for the day of the Lord (1 Thess 5:1-6).

I believe there is no better way to challenge ourselves, to re-examine how we have used our various gifts in readiness for the day of the Lord than in imitation of the virtuous and worthy (esith hayil) woman extol in today’s first reading, Book of Proverbs.

This worthy woman like the biblical Ruth, in putting her talents to use, brings her husband good and not evil. What a good use of her talent! She does this all the days of her life. Proverbs says. “She puts her hands to the distaff and her fingers ply the spindle. She reaches out hands to the poor, and extends her arms to the needy. Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting, the woman who fears the Lord is to be praised” (Prov 31:1-5).

In our various circumstances, be it here in the Seminary, home or our parish communities , we want to appreciate all the gifts we have been gifted with; the gifts of our parents, our family, doctors and nurses, the gifts of our teachers, and mentors- what we have learned from them.

  We want to share these gifts with others, including our gift of time. We want to share our gift of music. We want to share our gift of dancing. We want to share our gift artistery. We want to share our gifts of knowledge, listening and counseling abilities.  We want to share our gift of being present for one another.  Above all, we want to share our gift of love. We want to share our gift of hope. We want to share our gift of faith with people around us. This is not different from watching and waiting for the Lord.

Thirty-Second Sunday of Year A: Reflection- Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Thirty-Second Sunday of the Year A- Reflection – Fr. Michael Udoekpo

Readings: Wis 6:12-16; Ps 63:2-8; 1 Thess 4: 13-18 and Matt 25:1-13

Checking the Oils of our Christian virtues

The Bible Readings of today, particularly the familiar parable of the 10 virgins, with the imagery of oil for the lamps reminds us of the wisdom of not allowing ourselves to be caught up unprepared, or run dry, rusty in anything we do in this life, especially in our relationship with God and with our neighbors. Rather, we want to constantly check, renew, update, and refill the “oils” of our Christian calling, and keep burning the torch of our Christian hope and the feeling of the Lord presence in our midst!

Each of us gathered here, single or married, large or sizable family, when we wake-up each day whether we like it or not we are face with varieties of practical challenges, such as, how do I protect the roof over my head, keep my job and family intact, health care, provide food and education for my family, pass my exams, handle the pains of the loss of our loved one.  How do we readily keep our faith in the face of our daily economic, social, religious and political challenges- which you can name them----? In the light of today’s Scriptures readings, we need wisdom, prudence, and discernment of spirit to handle life as a whole. This has always been the case.

Recall when, Israel was in foreign land  they were hard pressed with similar problems many years ago (in their times of Greco Roman times), the first reading of today was offered as a wise source of encouragement. In every circumstance they must seek, love and thirst for God, the unfading and inexhaustible Wisdom.

In our faith tradition, are we not that renewed Israel with our own daily challenges, sometimes tragedies of loss of jobs and homes and low grades in our exams or the seeming absence or delay of God in our lives’ situations. Even when our loved one passes on or “falls asleep” like Lazarus (John 11: 1-54), and even when the Lord seems to delay getting to the sick bed and tomb of Lazarus, St. Paul says we must continue  like the Gospel wise  5 virgins  to  nourish our vigilance with oils of hope in Christ’s resurrection (1 Thess 4:13-18).

I don’t know if you notice like in the case of Lazarus, Christ the bridegroom in this wedding parable is again delayed, he does not come earlier. Notice the reactions of the virgins- that allegorically represent all of us, the church.  Sometimes we forget the everlasting love of God. We forget the sovereignty of our God. We forget that his blessings upon us does not depend 100 % on our human initiative. you can count all these blessings. God's delays or puntualities do not depend on us.

There might also be instances in our lives when we feel like Job, when we feel like Habakkuk or like the foolish gospel 5 virgins, by always wanting to rely on others preparedness or follow the bandwagon of making unwise proposals.  The counterproposal of the wise 5 virgins in verse 9 of today's Gospel which says, “no for there may not be enough for us and you” is not about selfishness. It is all about the fact that no one can ultimately rely on another’s preparedness 24/7; personal responsibility and accountability are sometimes required!

my brothers and sisters, friends, in  the face of seeming delay lies the hiddenness of God’s presence with us. Each of us is invited to that communal and personal response to Christ loves presence among us, particularly through the various sacraments we celebrate in the Church; a response through acts and burning torch of charity and kindness extended to our needy neighbors. The torch can be kept burning  by taking  the initiative to visit the seniors in the nursing homes  or the sick in the nearby hospital without being pressured., or helping daddy or mummy or our  friend or spouse close the garage door or put the dishes in the dish washers.

 This is how we keep the oil of our readiness for Christ burning. Each of us is invited to keep our oil burning: that oil of love, that oil of forgiveness of those who have offended us, that oil of keeping our vows and covenant with the Lord, that oil of peace, that oil of faith, that oil of charity and that oil of hope and watchfulness, prudence, modesty,  that oil of thirsting for the Lord (Psalm 63) and that oil of consciousness that in every occasion of a seeming absence or delay, Christ, the Bridegroom,  that unfading  Wisdom is rather always  making his own rounds seeking out for all of us who trust and rely upon Him ( Wis 6:16).