DAILY HOMILIES

As part of our Christmas celebrations, the story of John the beloved draws us to open our hearts to love Jesus as a friend and brother. It is not enough that we eat rice and chicken to celebrate Jesus’ birth, we must also enter into personal relationships with Jesus just as John did.

o matter what may be the situation in your family right now, bear this in mind: first, there is no such thing as a perfect family out there just as there is no perfect human being. So stop comparing your family to another. Secondly, no matter how bad things are right now, you can still change them. Revive the daily family prayer, reawaken love for one another, bring family to church and church to family, apply discipline by first showing good examples. Sing: “My lifetime… my family… I give God my family….”

By choosing to come as a baby (not a warrior with an army) and by choosing to be born to poor people under poor circumstances (not in a palace of gold), and by making Himself so vulnerable (such that Joseph had to flee at night with the baby Jesus for safety from Herod), I think God was concretely saying to mankind: “Love me, don’t be so frightened about me, I am close to you.”

As we celebrate Christmas, let us join Zechariah to sing songs of thanksgiving to God, let us join David to express thanks to God for all that God has done for us. In whatever way we can, let us end this year not on a note of complaining but on a note of thanksgiving. Let the song of Zechariah be our chorus.

There may a lot of things to complain about in your life, you may have a lot of reasons to be angry with God but remember that if you still have the power to speak, use your lips to praise God.

As Christmas approaches and the year itself comes to an end, let us pause for a while to count our blessings; enough of complaints. As bad as things may be for you right now, never forget that there are many who wished to see this day but are now resting in peace. Be like Hannah. Be like Mary. Give Thanks.

Elizabeth was not a priest nor was she a scholar but by the Holy Spirit, she became a Dogmatic Theologian; she defined the doctrine of Mary as the Mother of God, and she began active devotion to Mary. This is why we must constantly pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Let us learn from Mary to say to God: “Behold I am your handmaid, let your will be done in my life.” Mary abandoned herself for God and her consent allowed God to work mightily in her.

What is Christmas? God stooped low to our level. He came not as a warrior but as a baby – humility. Learn to forget your wealth, decrees and qualifications and try to stoop low to help as many people as you can. Then you will be truly be celebrating Christmas.

he role of Joseph in the life of Jesus proves that every child needs a father; one who is there to provide, protect and train. Today is another day to say a big thank you to our Fathers; the men who were there for us from cradle, the men who bore the harsh heat of the sun and worked all day just to put food on our tables, the men who were our first teachers in the faith, the men who disciplined us when we went astray.

In all of these, one can see that there is a need for parents to impart blessings into the life of their children. Do not use nasty words on your children no matter how bad they hurt your feelings by their childish ways. Keep blessing them, keep calling them good names.

On the other hand, for Jesus to say that John the Baptist is not as great as the least person in heaven, clearly indicates that heaven is not an easy place. It means I must do my very best to live a good life. No wonder Jesus asserted in Luke 13:24 “Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.”