Mary of Advent, Mother of the Gift of Christ at Christmas!-Homily for Fourth Sunday Advent Year C: Fr. Michael Ufok Udoekpo

Homily for Fourth Sunday Advent Year C:  Fr. Michael Ufok Udoekpo

·         Micah 5:1-4a;

·          Ps 80:2-3, 15-19;

·          Heb 10:5-10

·         Luke 1:39-45

Mary of Advent, Mother of the Gift of Christ at Christmas!

In this Last Week of Advent as Christmas draws near, besides the roles of Israel’s prophets and John the Baptists, Mary is another important figure that we want to imitate or pay closer attention to. She is the one spoken about by the prophets. She is the humble mother of Christ our Savior, Our Gift,  an effective high priest and sacrifice (Heb 10:5-10) - born for us at Christmas.

Prophet Micah of Moreshet founded on ancient promise and covenant of hopes, joined a team of other prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Baruch, Zephaniah and spoke about the birth of “she who will give birth” to Christ, the shepherd of the flocks of Israel and the source of shalom (peace), our well-being and prosperity.

The would be mother of Christ stands out in the Gospel infancy narratives as well. In it She fulfilled what had been promised.  Mary, a young humble Semitic woman received and believed the message from Gabriel, God’s angel. Afterwards she sets out to visit her cousin Elizabeth, an elderly woman, who was once barren, but now pregnant with John the Baptist. John leaped in his mother’s womb and recognized Christ, when Mary greeted Elizabeth. And Elizabeth, an older woman to Mary, once barren, filled with the Holy Spirit saluted Mary, a younger woman, and said,

“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb” how does this happened to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me.”?

With God everything is possible. A virgin will now give birth to a son. An older man now barren is able to give birth to a son as well. In all these we also see the mystery of Advent! The mystery of John leaping in Elizabeth’s womb; the mystery of the superiority of Christ over John the Baptist! It is the mystery of Elizabeth recognizing Mary as the mother of our Lord and Savior. She is the mother of Christ the great, perfect and superior high priest and sacrifice described also into today’s second reading, the Letter to the Hebrews.

In fact unlike the Old Testament, Levitical sacrifice offered according to the law of Moses (PS 40) Christ's vocation which will take him to his ultimate sacrifice on the cross is superior and perfect. It is not just on our behalf but it is once and for all. It abolishes all old animal sacrifices. Most importantly, it was offered by Christ with the spirit of total abandonment and obedience response to God his father, “Behold I come to do your will.”

Not far from Mary her mother’s response to the message of the angel, “behold I am the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to your will (Luke 1:38). So like mother, like son. Christ and Mary knew how to say to God, “behold I come to do you will."

 What about us? Advent is time we want to imitate Mary and say to Christ at Christmas, Jesus be born in my heart, in my home and in my neighbor’s home. Christ be born in my office and work place. Take care of my health, my desire, occupation and my studies, and do with me always, whatever you want. And may it be done to me according to your word; your will and not my will!!

 It is a time we want to prepare to share the gift of Christ with others, at Christmas. It is a time we want to give birth to peace, hope, love, forgiveness, and joy at Christmas. Of course this requires, faith, love and great humility like that of Mary, the mother of Christ.

Reflection Questions:

• 1.    Drawn from the Lessons of a Virgin and a barren Elizabeth, now mothers, do you believe that with God everything is possible, and teach others to do so?
• 2.    Christ will come to us as a Gift at Christmas, how prepared are we to share our gifts and talents with others
• 3.    Mary and  Elizabeth gave birth to Christ and John Respectively, how prepared are we to metaphorically give birth to peace, dialogue, joy, forgiveness, honesty, integrity, patriotism, sense of common good and selfless services to our parishes, religious and civil societies, dioceses, villages and cities, in our world today?

 

God Rejoices Over Us,Homily 3rd Sunday of Advent Year C: Fr. Michael Ufok Udoekpo

Homily 3^rd Sunday of Advent Year C: Fr. Michael Ufok Udoekpo

·         Zeph 3:14-18a;

·          Ps. Isa 12:2-6;

·          Phil 4:4-7

·         Luke 3:10-18

God Rejoices Over Us,

We are already in the 3^rd week of Advent. So far we  are so blessed with great Bible readings , homilies so far heard, and Advent models presented to us, including Israel’s prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Baruch, John the Baptist and our mother Mary- who bear not only messages of love, faith, and hope, but joy- that is reflected in the traditional name for today’s Sunday: Gaudate Sunday!
Toda’s scriptures speak of this Joy. First, the Prophet Zephaniah joyfully speaks to us:“

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty savior; he will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love. He will sing joyfully because of you, as one sings at festivals.”
Second, Saint Paul addresses similar message to his Church in Philippi, saying, “Brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say again rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all,” (Phil 4:4-7).

These two passages, particularly, that of the Prophet Zephaniah is a delight of Pope Francis who even began his first Encyclical “the Joy of the Gospel” by quoting this joyful message Zephaniah, which lies at the heart of our faith. Some of you may have read this encyclical. But, if you not, please, do. Because, here, the Holy Father calls on everyone, though confronted with challenges, to live the Gospel, our faith, with joy- that is a spiritual joy that arises from our interior life- our relationship with God.

 On the other hand, the text of Zephaniah we read today, the last section of chapter 3, contains a language of hope, comfort and joy to a community saddled with pains, sorrow and despair. Some scholars and spiritual authors have even suggested that it was actually written for Israel after the pains of exile. This text shows the exultant Lord smiling, dancing, singing, rejoicing and admiring all of us, his remnant Church, a renewed Israel..  If so, the question is why is the Lord smiling at us, at Israel, or rejoicing over us? It is because, we have kept the faith. We have persevered in faith and  hope. We have fought the good fight. We have endured in spite of temptations, illnesses, problems and betrayals. We have kept our marriages and vows and Counsels, in spite the “turbulence.”
As Zephaniah’s name would portray, ‘the Lord’s protect, “we have allowed the Lord’s wings to cover us, to protect us, our families, our jobs, our travels, joys and sorrows, as an umbrella!

 Even if you were to write out the Name “Zephaniah” in your palm, or on the back of your hymn book, or of bulletin, you cannot but appreciate the nine Advent gifts that  this 9^th of  the twelfth  Minor Prophets, Zephaniah, offers us through the 9 letters that make up his Hebrew name:

·         •       Z=Zeal for the Lord

·         •       E= Exemplary Living

·         •       P=Perseverance in my faith

·         •       H=Humility in service

·         •       A=Abiding presence of God

·         •       N=Newness of Life in Christ Jesus

·         •       I=Initiative in charity

·         •       A=Absolute trust in God

·         •       H= Hope and not despair

In order words, Advent is a time we listen to the message of Zephaniah and know that the Lord our God is in our midst, in spite of the changing circumstances our times. Even though we are preparing for Christmas and meditating on the Parousia, the last judgment, during Advent, these two events dialectically are lived within the frame work of the present. Christ is here with us, in the sacraments, in the Word, in our homes, work places, and in our neighbors. 

In other words, in addition to spiritual joy, repentance is important. How we live today, how we teach our children honesty, integrity, true values, how we treat our employers with fairness,  how we reject corruption  and abuse of power and public offices, how we love our nation and pursue common good,  how reject violent and promote dialogue, how we relate with one another in fairness and justice is important.  This is why in today’s Gospel (Luke 3:10-18), when John is asked by the crowd "what they must do," emphasize is placed on the need for those who have two coats to share one with their neighbor- and whoever has food is called upon to do likewise, those who have formed the habit of cheating, idolatry or extorting their neighbors are called upon to refrain from doing so- during Advent, but open to the baptism of the Holy Spirit- by also practicing that which Zephaniah stands for, peace and justice.

It is by doing so that the Lord rejoices in us .It is by doing so that the Lord Smiles, and sings over us as one would sing at festivals. May the Lord continue to bless, smile, and rejoice over us, as we prepare for his coming!

Reflection Questions

1.    What is the source our joy, pleasure, human satisfaction or from our interior spiritual life emanating from our deeper relationship with God?

2.    From insight drawn from today’s scriptures in what way or ways are we prepared to, repent, or change our old ways for better.

3.    How do we help our next door neighbor to realize and cherish  the challenging hope of Advent?

Counting our Blessings in Advent:Second Sunday of Advent Year C: Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Second Sunday of Advent Year C: Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

·         Baruch 5:1-9;

·         Ps 126:1-6;

·         Phil 1:4-6, 8-11

·         Luke 3:1-6

Counting our Blessings in Advent

The readings of today continue to remind  us of the place of Advent in our lives. It is a season that we are all reminded of what God has done for us in the past, what God is doing for us now and what God will continue to do for us in the future. In Advent, we live again those promises of ancient hopes.

Baruch in the first reading and like Jeremiah of last Sunday, offers words of encouragement to Israel in exile in view of their eventual liberation and return: He says;

“Jerusalem take off your robe of mourning and misery; put on the splendor of glory of God forever….the forest and every fragrant kind of tree have overshadowed Israel at God’s command; for God is leading Israel in joy by the light of his glory, with his mercy and justice for company.”

This message of hope is intensified by Psalm 126. Verses 1-3 says,

 “When the lord brought back the captives of Jerusalem, Zion, it was like a dream, then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tough with joy. Then they said among themselves the Lord has done great things for them, the Lord has done great things for us.”

 Clearly, true message of lament and song of joy, gratitude to what God has done for them in the past- the liberation from exile. In verse 4, he restores their fortunes, their well- being, brings them peace. In remaining verses Israel looks at the past, pleads restoration and continues blessings and protection in the future:

 “Restore our fortunes, O lord, like the torrents in the Negev desert. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing. Although they shall go forth weeping, carrying the seed to be sown, they shall come back rejoicing, carrying their sheaves”(vv 4-6).

Israel hope, our hope, the hope of the Church will never be in vain. This is why Paul says to the Church in Philippi; “I pray always with joy in my every prayer for all of you, because of your partnership for the gospel from the first day till now. I am confident this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ,” (Phil 1:4-6, 8-11).  That same Jesus  was earlier foretold by Israel’s prophets- Isaiah, Jeremiah, Baruch, Zephaniah, down to John the Baptist, as stressed in today’s Gospel (Luke 3:1-6).

Like Israel and the early church Advent is a time we could settle down and count our blessings- life, family, children, husbands, friend dad and mom, jobs, good of mind and body, name them. Advent is time we also want to bring our remaining “misfortunes” illness and other forms of brokennesses to God. There is no one without some set-backs in life. We want to bring this set back to Christ.

Our future is also clouded with some level of uncertainties: what will be the nature and the final impact of the hurricane, the result of my examination, I hope there wouldn’t be much traffic on the road, no accident no unforeseen illnesses, no divorce; I hope the initial joy of that honeymoon will last. It is under such uncertainties and many more that we need to surrender ourselves more and more under the ambiance of hope, love, faith and of Christ Jesus whom we expect at Christmas and in the parousia. In other words, our past, present and future all belongs to Jesus.

Reflection Question

1.      How well prepared are we for the coming of Christ?

2.      And how do we assist others to prepare for the coming of Christ?

3.      What are our blessings and set-backs?

In Preparation for Christ- Advent,First Sunday of Advent Year C: Fr. Michael Ufok Udoekpo

First Sunday of Advent Year C: Fr. Michael Ufok Udoekpo

·         Jer 33:14-16;

·         Ps 25:4-5,8-10,14;

·          1 Thes 3:12–4:2

·         Luke 21:25-28,34-36

In Preparation for Christ- Advent

Advent is a preparation for Christmas. It is a time we celebrate the first coming of our Savior, Son of Man, and Son of God. It is also a season which our minds and thoughts are spiritually and joyfully directed in expectation to the Second coming of Christ.  Advent is a season of hope. It is a season of love. It is a season of faith; a season of renewal, a time of prayer and vigilance in penance and charity.

Few years ago, this time in the United States and in other English speaking countries we embraced and implemented the new translation of the Third Edition of the Roman Missal. Today also especially in this part of the world our anniversary, in a sense, of the new missal, our prayer and faith book. So today we celebrate the unity of our faith in Christ Jesus the bridegroom of the Church.

One thing you would notice in the Bible readings of today is that in as much as advent commemorates past events, it mediates salvation, and deepens our awareness of Christ’s presence in the Church and the fulfillment of that promise made by God to our ancestors, Abraham, Moses, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, David through the mouths of the prophets. It is a celebration of hope!

 Take the first reading for example. In the midst of threats of the Babylonian military might, threats of exile, loss of homes, lives, the temple and its treasures, the Prophet Jeremiah, a late pre-exilic prophet, mediates with words of hope. He recalls the promise God had made to David in 2 Samuel 7:11-16, “in those days, in that time, I will raise up for David a just-shoot; he shall do what is right and just in the land. In those days Judah shall be safe and Jerusalem shall dwell secure…” (Jer 33:14-16).

And Paul said similar words of encouragement to the troubled Thessalonians Church, “brothers and sisters may the lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we have for you, so as to strengthen your hearts, to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones,” (1 Thess 3:12–4:2)

Apart from Jeremiah and his contemporaries, or Paul and his Thessalonians Church, the Lukan Jesus towards the end of his ministry, and as he approaches his passion, instructs his troubled disciples as well of their preparedness. Christ says;

“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxiety of daily lives, and that day catches you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times…” (Luke 21:25-28, 34-36).

This awareness or vigilance is at the core of the message of advent. We are reminded in our various cultures and situations in life to be vigilance with hope, faith, and love and total self-reexamination. Jeremiah had asked his people of the same vigilance. Paul did the same to the Thessalonians Church.  From the locations of our families, churches, dioceses, and chaplaincies, Advent is a time we are to remain vigilance in appreciating of what God has done for us not only at the present, but also in the past and will continue to do for us in the future. Advents also reminds us of what God expects of us and what he will continue to do for us, provided we listen to him!

 It requires, if I may add of  prayers and in being vigilance to the beautiful prophetic messages of this season. John the Baptist the last prophet before Christ bears this message as well. He says to us repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand. John remains our model during this advent.

 Besides John the Baptist, Mary is another model. She is closely related to the mysteries of her Son, Christ whom we expect at Christmas. Recall how Mary will react to the message of the angels and the mysteries of her pregnancy. She took everything in with faith. She prepared and waited for her Son’s coming with love, hope, generosity of mind, humility, openness, transparency, vigilance, prayer and joyful praise.

May we imitate the prophets, John the Baptist and our Mother Mary, in our various capacities, as we prepare and awaits the coming of Christ at Christmas and at the parousia.

Reflection Questions;

1.      What does the Bible lessons of today say to us as individual and family or religious groups?

2.      How disposed are we to prepare for the coming of Christ at Christmas and at the Parousia?

3.      In what form are we appreciative of what God has done for us in history? Do we invite our neighbors to do so and how?