Rejoice, Rejoice All You Who Are Faithful!

Readings: (1st: Is 61, 1-2.10-11: Ps: Lk 1, 46-54; 2nd: 2 Th 5, 16-22: Gos: Jh 1, 6-8. 19-28)

This brief reflection was written by Rev. Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a Member of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers (Spiritans). He is currently working with the Spiritan International Group of Puerto Rico &  Dominican Republic. He is the Administrator of Parroquia La Resurrección del Senor, Canovanas and the Chancellor of the Diocesis of Fajardo-Humacao, Puerto Rico. For more details and comments contact him on:  canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

The third Sunday of Advent is a Sunday of joy (Gaudete). Having come thus far in our journey, the Church says to us as the prophet Nehemiah said to the Israelites: “Go and enjoy…Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength” (Neh 8, 10). However, after today, we must continue our journey with a new zeal and expectation.

In our first reading today, Isaiah busts out in Joy as he experienced the divine presence and hand of God tremendously at work in his life and mission: “The Spirit of the Lord has been given to me, for the Lord has anointed me to…” This is a song of joy and satisfaction of an empowered person. He recounts what God has done in his life.

This too should be our song today because, we have been filled with the Spirit of God. We are filled in order to be strengthened for the last phase of our journey this Advent. So, in appreciation for this, we shout for joy to the Lord. This is the great joy that Gaudate Sunday provokes. That is, the joy that our Saviour is near.

Our second reading is an explicit exaltation from Paul to us especially on this great and joy-filled Sunday of Advent: “Be happy at all times, pray constantly, and for all things give thanks to God…” In this brief exaltation, we find a wonderful progression. First, it is an exaltation to be happy, joyful and cheerful because our journey so far has been so good.

Second, it is an exaltation to “Pray constantly,” to be vigilant. Therefore, for Gaudate Sunday to be truly meaningful, it must provoke a great feeling of joy and thankfulness, while still strongly preserving, and keeping us focused on our journey and duty this glorious season of Advent. It is not the end our journey.

Once again, today our gospel revolves round the prophecy and clarion call of the “Prophet of Prophets,” John the Baptist. The major difference between today’s gospel and that of last week rests simply on the fact that they are accounts from different writers Mark and John. The message remains functionally and ontologically the same. It is still from: “The voice that cries in the wilderness, make a straight way for the Lord.” 

Why is this reading and call being repeated this joyful Sunday? It is for the purpose of emphasis. It is to remind us that, though we are given a little time to relax and rejoice today, that the clarion call is still there: “Make a straight way for the Lord.” In order words, our preparation continues. So, it is a way of keeping us alert so that we do not lose focus of where we are actually going to: “It is NOT Christmas yet!” The joy of this Sunday foreshadows the fullness of joy that Christmas brings.

Finally, brethren, as we rejoice today, let us say a loud amen to the prayer of Paul: “May the God of Peace make you perfect and holy, and may you all be kept safe and blameless…for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ…God has called you and he will not fail you.” Surely, He will not fail us until we have received Christ, the fullness of our joy and salvation.  Surely, he will not fail us because: “All His promises are yes, and amen (2 Cor 1, 20).

Peace be with You!

Maranatha!!

Why Is Jesus Christ Coming?
Readings: (1st: Is 40, 1-5.9-11: Ps 84, 9-14; 2nd: 2 Pt 3, 8-14; Gos: Mk 1, 1-8)

This brief reflection was written by Rev. Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a Member of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers (Spiritans). He is currently working with the Spiritan International Group of Puerto Rico &  Dominican Republic. He is the Administrator of Parroquia La Resurrección del Senor, Canovanas and the Chancellor of the Diocesis of Fajardo-Humacao, Puerto Rico. For more details and comments contact him on:  canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

On this second week of Advent, we continue to prepare for the Lord’s coming. Today, the church calls us to reflect on the good news of this season. Thus, we are to reflect on the reason of Christ’s coming, and on what we are expected to do this season.
Today, our readings focus on the nearness of the Lord’s coming and the need for repentance for the forgiveness of sins. So, one very important question today is, why is Christ coming? He is coming because he loves us. He is coming to save us. He is coming to make all things new. He has a mission, and that mission is for us, and for our salvation.
In our first reading, Isaiah implores us to: “prepare a way for the Lord… Here is the Lord, coming with power…” Today he sounds very optimistic. Last week, he made a petition, asking God to “tear down the heaven and come down.” His prayer of hope is already bearing fruits soon. So, God says this week, “console my people, console them…”
Like Isaiah, we too must progress in our journey this Advent. Isaiah’s prophecy today is a great hope booster. That is, that our salvation is close at hand. So, let us continue to wait for the Lord’s coming. However, it is not yet over. The fulfillment of this hope still lies ahead. So, rather than relax, we must heed his call, “prepare a way for the Lord…”
In the second reading, Peter assures us that Christ will certainly come. Once again, like the Prophet Isaiah, he gives a boost to our hope. He encourages us not to lose hope in the prophetic promises of the coming of the Messiah. Today, Peter makes the following very important points. The first is about the “The Day of the Lord.” He reminds us that it will come like a thief. Therefore, this is a season to be alert and vigilant.
Second, Peter reminds us that our “long time” is nothing, compared to God’s time. Hence, there is a difference between God’s time and ours. Our human time is “Chronos.” That is, the sequential time. While God’s reckoning of time is “Kairos” That is, a special moment that seems almost timeless or ageless. Hence, we say: “God’s time is the best time!”
In today’s gospel, like Isaiah, John the Baptist brings us the good news about the Lord’s imminent coming. He makes two explicit calls to us. The first is, a call to repent for the forgiveness of our sins. Advent is the time to reconcile with God whom we have severally offended through our words and actions.
Repentance and reconciliation are very important conditions for us to welcome Christ worthily. This is what the prophets (Isaiah and John the Baptist), and the Apostle Peter mean by, “preparing a way for the Lord” and “living holy and saintly lives.” If we repent sincerely this season, then the salvation that Jesus brings will be ours. If we clean up ourselves properly, we need not be afraid of the Day of the Lord.
Finally, anticipation of the Lord’s coming should not merely determine our manner of lives. Rather, it should motivate us to repentance, holiness of life, godliness, and of course, joyfulness. Therefore, as we continue to wait and prepare, let us humbly pray with the psalmist: “O Lord, let us see your mercy, and give us your saving help.”
Peace be with You!
Maranatha!

Advent: Season Of Great Expectation And Joyful Hope
Readings: (1st: Ish 63, 16-17. 64, 1-8: Ps 79, 2-119; 2nd: I Cor 1, 3-9; Gos: Mtt 13, 33-37)

This brief reflection was written by Rev. Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a Member of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers (Spiritans). He is currently working with the Spiritan International Group of Puerto Rico &  Dominican Republic. He is the Administrator of Parroquia La Resurrección del Senor, Canovanas and the Chancellor of the Diocesis of Fajardo-Humacao, Puerto Rico. For more details and comments contact him on:  canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

Today is the first Sunday of Advent and of a new liturgical calendar, year B. Remarkably, as we begin a new liturgical year today, we move from the gospel according to Matthew’s to the gospel according to Mark, the shortest of the four canonical Gospels.
Advent is a season of hope and a period during which as Christians we await the fulfillment of the promise of God through his prophets. In addition to being a season of hope, it is equally, a season of patience and prayer. During these four weeks, what are we expected to do? We are expected to prepare for the birth of the messiah. It suffices to note that while we prepare physically, the most important must be the spiritual preparation.
Our first reading from Isaiah is both a prophetic message, as well as a prayer of hope. Isaiah begins by acknowledging the greatness of God: “O Lord you are our Father, Our Redeemer is your ancient name…” Then, he makes a petition to God: “Why leave us to stray from your ways…Oh that you would tear the heavens open and come down…?”
This is a prayer of hope. As Isaiah rightly demanded, God will not keep silent until we are saved. That salvation is what our hope in Christ will accomplish for us. Therefore, when Isaiah asks God to tear the heavens and come down, he expects God to come quickly.
This is Our Lord’s prayer, “…Your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.” It is also Paul’s petition, “Maranatha!” It is the cry of the Spirit and the Bride: “Come, Lord Jesus” (CCC 2817). God’s power and salvation is what we hope to see at the end of this season. That is, when God’s word would become flesh and born of a virgin.
In our second reading, Paul encourages us to be faithful as we wait for the coming of Christ. Though, Paul was referring to the parousia, yet, this reading is very ad rem to this season of Advent. Paul reminds us that we have received the gifts of the Spirit. It is these gifts of the Spirit that will strengthen us as we wait in joyful hope for Christ.
Our life is a long vigil, waiting for the Lord to be revealed in all his glory. So, we wait with expectation and joyful hope because His is Spirit is with us. If we walk with him this season, God will not fail us because: “our expectation shall not be cut short” (Pr 23, 18). So, as the Spirit guides us, we must prepare prayerfully, through the help of the Sacraments. This is especially, through the sacrament of reconciliation.
The gospel of today is a clarion call to be awake and alert. Only the Spirit of God can help us do this faithfully. Therefore, rather than obey the spirit of this world this season, we must obey the Spirit of God, who sustains us. So, let us to have our minds fixed on him.
It suffices to note that if we light up our houses and streets, without lightening up our lives spiritually for Christ to walk into it; if we prepare all things and places without preparing a manger for baby Jesus in our lives then, our preparation would not be complete.
Finally, as we eagerly anticipate the coming of the Lord this season, our hope and expectation should prompt us to be always awake and vigilant. It should make us prepare adequately in order to avail ourselves of Jesus’ mercy. Therefore, our constant prayer during this season as Paul constantly prayed should be: “Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus!”
Peace be with you all!
Maranatha!!