THE FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY, YEAR C

1 Samuel 1:20-22.24-28
Psalm 83
1 John 3:1-2.21-24
Luke 2:41-52

THE HOLY FAMILY

We celebrate today the feast of the Holy Family. Thus, we are called to take a fresh look at our families and model them after the example of the family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

The first reading presents a polygamous family in which one woman, Hannah, was barren. She prayed and God listened to her prayer. She bore a son, named him “Samuel” and offered him to God. What is particular about this family is that it was a God-fearing family and used to worship together.

According to the second reading, two irreplaceable things contribute to the success of our relationship with God our Father and our relationship within the family: faithfulness to God through the observance of his commandments and love for one another. As children of God, we are all brothers and sisters. As such, we manifest our belonging to God’s family if we love and serve one another.

The gospel presents one of the unpleasant situations that the Holy Family experienced. At the end of the feast of Passover at Jerusalem, Jesus, then at twelve years, got missing. Mary and Joseph looked for him everywhere and found him in the Temple after three days.  After that they went back to Nazareth.

The home of Nazareth teaches some important virtues that we can cultivate so as to have a peaceful and harmonious family even amidst challenges and difficulties. These are godliness, unity, patience and humility. Going to church together, praying together, eating together, doing things together and being patient with one another are priceless gestures that can help the family stay together. May the family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph intercede for us so that we may have holy and united families.
Amen.

THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD: MASS DURING THE DAY

Isaiah 52: 7-10;
Psalm 97;
Hebrews 1: 1-6;
John 1: 1-18

BREAKING NEWS: GOD HAS BECOME MAN

Today we celebrate the mystery of the Incarnation: God has become man; Jesus is born. This is an old news but always a breaking Good News. The Eternal Word of God has been made flesh and he lives among us. God has become one of us so that by faith we may become children of God. From his fullness, we have received grace upon grace (John 1, 1-18).

In the little child lying in a manger at Bethlehem, we contemplate God. The invisible God has been made visible. Man can now touch God, hear God crying and being consoled. In this little child, God communicates and reveals his love and mercy to mankind (Heb. 1, 1-6). He identifies himself with each one of us. He shares our human condition, our pain and joy, our misery. In this new born, God comes to live with us, to console us, to be our friends and walk the path of life with us.

And this is the Good News that is announced to us today: “How beautiful on the mountain, are the feet of one who brings good tidings, who heralds peace, brings happiness, proclaims salvation…” (Is. 52:7-10). This is the Good News we must carry to our world of fragile peace and broken promises. This is the good tiding we must bring to our brothers and sisters. This is the joyful news we must share in our homes. Christmas is a season of joy and sharing.

As the song goes: “Great things happen when God mixes with us, great and beautiful, wonderful things…” May this year’s Christmas bring you a breakthrough in whatever difficult situation you may find yourself. May the Infant Jesus, the Prince of Peace grant you peace, joy and fullness of life. Amen.

Merry Christmas!!!

Rev. Fr. Géorges KOUWONOU
(Priest of the Diocese of Atakpamé, Togo)

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR C

Micah 5:1-4
Psalm 80
Hebrews 10:5-10
Luke 1:39-45

ANTICIPATING CHRISTMAS JOY

In few hours, we will celebrate Christmas, the commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ, born at Bethlehem. Today’s first reading presents a prophecy about Bethlehem, a small town of Judea. This little and insignificant town became popular because it was the hometown of King David. It was this small town that God chose to be the place of birth of the Saviour of the world, Jesus Christ.

The gospel reading narrates the story of the visitation. The story seems to be an encounter of two pregnant women, Elizabeth and Mary. But it was in fact a meeting between two unborn children: Jesus and John. Thus, John leaped for joy in his mother’s womb at the greeting of Jesus’ mother. It was a beautiful moment. The child rejoices because he is the herald of Jesus the Messiah. He has been privileged to witness the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies. His joy describes the joy of God’s people when He visits them: yes, God has visited his people. Christmas is indeed the fulfillment of God’s promises; it is God coming among his people. Christmas is the time of God’s visitation in the person of Jesus Christ.

In this perspective, we may well understand the second reading which speaks of the total submission and obedience of Jesus Christ to his Father. He has come to do the will of God his Father. And the will of God is to give joy, peace and salvation to his people.

How prepared are we to welcome Jesus who is coming to give us joy and fulfillment? How well prepared are we to meet God who is coming to visit us? Is it a matter of having what to eat, drink and wear on Christmas day? Or rather making our hearts ready to receive him and to share the Christmas joy with others? May God bless and keep our hearts ready to welcome him in joy.
Amen.

3RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT (GAUDETE SUNDAY), YEAR C

Zephaniah 3:14-18
Isaiah 12:2-6 (Responsorial Hymn)
Philippians 4:4-7
Luke 3:10-18

GAUDETE SUNDAY

Pope Francis remarks that “there are Christians whose lives seem like Lent without Easter” (Evangelii gaudium, 6). Yes, there are people who always have funereal and morose faces. No smiling, no rejoicing, always complaining, always lamenting over the difficulties, sicknesses, losses, and problems of life. They have thousands of reasons not to be happy. And yet, today’s readings invite us to rejoice, because we are people of hope.

One of the most exciting invitations to joy in the Old Testament is today’s first reading: “Shout for joy, daughter Zion, Israel, shout aloud.” Prophet Zephaniah summons the people to jubilate, for the Lord is in their midst as a victorious warrior who comes to drive away their enemies and protect them (Zeph. 3:14-18).

The prophet Isaiah in the responsorial hymn exhorts the inhabitants of Zion to shout aloud and sing for joy, for great in their midst is the Holy One of Israel (Is. 12:2-6). In the second reading, St Paul admonishes the Philippians to always be happy or rejoice, for the Lord is very near. He also exhorts them to present their needs to God with prayer and thanksgiving (Phil. 4:4-7).

Finally, the call to conversion addressed to the crowd, the tax collectors, and the soldiers by John the Baptist teaches us that joy is the result of a continuing effort of doing good (Luke 3:10-18). We experience deep joy when we share with others. When we act justly and do not cheat others. When we respect the dignity of all and do not oppress anyone. We experience joy when we are content with the little we have.

We experience joy when we keep our hope alive even in seemingly hopeless situation. For with God, there is no hopeless situation. Yes, our God is able and faithful. Let us therefore rejoice no matter what situation we may find ourselves.
Amen