DAILY HOMILIES

Zechariah prayed for many years for a child and did not get an answer. When the answer came, Zachariah forgot what he had been praying for. He felt that God had decided not to grant him a child anymore. His doubt was obvious to the Angel. What is that which I have been praying for? Have I reached a point of doubt? This reading should give me a rethink. God knows what He is doing.

Joseph is considered the Father of Jesus because he agreed to marry Mary even after learning about Mary’s pregnancy. This marriage was not the usual marriage because Mary, who had previously consecrated herself to God, was now about to give birth to God. By accepting Mary's marriage, Joseph chose to be her guardian, the protector of the Holy Family. Nevertheless, this implies that Joseph embraced celibacy and served as an eunuch for the sake of God’s divine plan.

Wish your children well even when they offend you or fail to meet your expectations. Pray for them like Saint Monica, who prayed relentlessly for her son Augustine. Pray for them as Jacob did over his twelve sons, as seen in today’s first reading.

As far back as the book of Numbers, Balaam had already prophesied about Jesus Christ. “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not nigh: a star shall come forth out of Jacob, and a sceptre shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth.” (Numbers 24:17)

The joy of Christmas is God giving away his only son, Jesus, to save mankind. When we give gifts to others during Christmas or even make time to be with others, regardless of what it costs us, we incarnate Jesus. No wonder in today’s Gospel passage, we hear John the Baptist saying: “He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.”

Today’s first reading pays a glowing tribute to Elijah. Not many people have such beautiful tributes. I once read a quote: “Live a good life so that no one will be forced to lie about you during your funeral.” Like John the Baptist, we are all called to become Elijah today.

God’s commandments (righteous living) were never intended to punish us. These commandments are for our happiness and prosperity. To think that there is something to gain from going against God’s instruction is to believe the devil’s lies. What did Adam and Eve gain from their disobedience?

The best remedy for bad fear is prayer. Yesterday, we heard the prophet Isaiah say, “That those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary.” Today, God assures us: “Behold, I will make you into a threshing sledge… I will open rivers on the bare heights and fountains amid valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water…”

God has never lost a battle. Even now, God is still winning. Those who wait on God (who never give up on prayer) will run and never be weary. They walk and never faint. Do not interpret your present circumstances as a weakness on the part of God. He knows what He is doing. For instance, it may be difficult to believe that failing that exam was God’s gift for you. What if that failure was the fuel you needed to sharpen your skills and motivate you to discover your true potential?

In today’s Gospel passage, we hear Jesus describe Himself as a shepherd who abandons the ninety-nine in search of the lost sheep. Even though the sheep deserves to be punished for going astray, the shepherd’s attitude depicts pity, care, and concern. In other words, by taking our human flesh, Jesus brings to pass the prophecy of Isaiah. As if it wasn’t bad enough to risk the ninety-nine in search of the lost sheep, most of us reject the shepherd who has left everything to look for us.

How do we say “Yes” to God? St. Paul tells us in today’s second reading: “to be holy and blameless before him in love.” (Ephesians 1:3-4). Our “Yes” to God is our decision to live holy and blameless lives. It is our willingness to be the world's salt and light. Is it easy to say “Yes” to God? No. Nevertheless, if Mary said “Yes”, you too can say “Yes.”

The natural outcome of proper preparation for Christmas following these four steps above is joy. Try it out and see. Prepare a way for Jesus in your heart, cover the valleys, bring down the mountains, and straighten the crooked lines. There is no way you will not be happy. Only a heart that truly receives Christ understands what it means to be happy.