Bible
Study: Numbers 6, 22 to 27. Galatians 4, 4 to 7 and Luke 2, 16 to 21.
Our first
reading this morning contains powerful blessings. And I pray for you this
morning that these blessings will surround you, uplift you and catapult you to
a higher level in Jesus Name. Amen. They say the beginning shows the end, the
morning shows the day, it is how you lay your bed that you lie on it. You have
started well already this year by honouring God in coming to begin your New
Year in the house of God. In fact, I consider that this year which begins with
a Sunday is a special year.
Just yesterday
I read about a popular man who made fifty prophecies about the year 2017. He said
so many things would happen and I guess this pattern would be followed by
others who love to gain popularity among their followers. Please do not go after
any man or woman who wants to tell you how tomorrow will be. Everything about
the future has already been revealed by God and it is contained in the Bible.
You do not need me to tell you anything different from what God himself has
already said and if I must prophesy there is only one thing I would say: Just
as you saw the end of 2016, you shall see the end of 2017 and everything it
brings, the world itself is coming to an end and no one knows when. Are you
prepared?
As much we
are desire to receive blessing from God this new day, as much we like to hear
prophecies of good tidings to kick us off in a happy and joyful mood, as much
as we all desire to have a refill of hope and enthusiasm on this day, let us
remember that with God, there is always a time for everything. Our second
reading today tells us: “When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son,
born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under
the law.” Galatians 4, 4 to 5. Jesus Christ could not have been born a year
earlier or later. There was a specific time under the calendar of God. There is
a time for your blessing. There is a set time for your breakthrough. Keep looking
up to God. Keep trusting him. Keep being steadfast in your prayer.
Lazarus
was already dead four days yet Jesus did not arrive late. The widow of Nain
attended the funeral procession of her only son yet it was not too late for
Jesus to wake him up. Jairus daughter was sick and by the time he brought Jesus
home, he met flute players singing funeral hymns, they asked him not to bother
Jesus yet Jesus proved to them that he did not arrive late. He said “Talita
cumi” Dear friends, your time is your time. I don’t want you to have any false
hope instead I want you to deepen your trust in God because when he wants to
act, no one can stop him.
Exactly
eight days ago, we celebrated the birthday of Jesus Christ. Although many argue
that Jesus was not born exactly on the 25th of December, the point
is that is the day we choose to use for his birthday and anyone who disagrees
is free to pick another day for himself or herself so long as the birth of
Jesus is celebrated. So, following the tradition and custom of the land, on
this day, the newly born baby was given the name, Jesus. As Luke tells us, this
was the name given by the Angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Names are
not mere means of identity. Names carry a lot of meaning and a name can define
the future of a person. The Name Jesus means “Saviour.” In the course of his
life, Jesus did exactly what that name meant. He saved the world and even
today, he continues his ministry of salvation. 2017 is like a new born baby. It
is the name you call it that it will answer. Give this New Year a name and you
will be surprised how 2017 will fulfil every single detail of the name you have
given to it. Today is not a day to complain at all. Please speak blessing over
your 2017. Say everything good and positive about this year. It will listen, it
will obey.
On this
day that the baby Jesus is named, one happy woman is Mary. Have you ever seen a
woman after delivery? Do you know how happy she is? She has just faced the life
or death process of giving birth. To eventually carry her baby is her greatest
joy. Even the bible acknowledges that the presence of a baby makes a woman
forget the pains of nine month pregnancy. In other words, today is a Mary’s
day. No wonder on this day, we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of
God.
In today’s
Gospel passage, we are told “She treasured all these things in her heart.” As
we begin a New Year, we ought to emulate the outstanding disposition of Mary.
She was told she had a great responsibility to carry and she did not complain,
she was waiting for it. All she said was “I am the handmaid of God, let it be
done according to God’s will.” Mary accepted the plan of God in her life, she
took in the highs and the lows, she was ready for the joys as well as the pains
involved. She never gave up but continued to look forward gallantly in hope to
that day of her reward when all generations would actually start calling her
blessed.
Mary is so
outstanding today because she knew her role in God’s plan and was willing to
obey every detail, every command to the letter. When the Child was born, she
gave the very name “Jesus” in obedience to the Angel’s instruction. She knew
that through her, God was about to fulfil his promise.
Lastly,
today is the world day of Peace. Let us as Pope Francis admonish follow the
footsteps of Saint Therese of Lisieux: “Practice the little way of Love. Never
miss out on a kind word, a smile or any small gesture which sows peace and
friendship.” In other words, I must henceforth smile at anybody I meet
regardless of what or who that person is to me. I must spread joy and peace. I must
follow the manual that Jesus gave in the beatitudes. I must be meek, merciful,
peaceful, pure in heart, hunger and thirst for justice. I must actively show
mercy by refusing to discard people, by refusing to harm the environment, by refusing
to engage in competitions with others whereby I seek to win at all costs. This
New Year, I must banish violence from my heart, I must banish violence from my
words, (no more shouting at others, no more insults), I must banish violence
from my deeds (no more jungle justice). Every one of us can champion peace.
Let us pray:
Lord Jesus, thank you for the gift of a new year. Amen
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith.
It is well with you. God bless you. Happy Sunday and Happy New Year.
Fr. Abu.
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