DATE : 24/12/2020, Vigil Mass of Christmas Year (B)
EVENT : CHRISTMAS EVE
COLOUR: WHITE
READINGS : 1 Isaiah 52:7-10; Resp. Psalm 98:1.2-3ab.3.cd-4.5-6; Heb. 1:1-6; John 1:1-18.
THEME: JOY!!! JOY!!! JOY!!!
Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this day of Christmas, I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " Joy!!! Joy!!! Joy!!!. Beloved, one of the words that best qualifies the sentiment of almost every human person during this Christmas season is the feeling of joy. On a general sense, joy is described as the response of the mind to any pleasurable event. It is a feeling that touches the deepest springs of emotion, and finds expression in external acts such as, dancing, leaping, shouting, singing and sharing of gifts as we can see all around us. True and authentic joy is always a natural outcome of fellowship with God. For as the Psalmist says in Ps. 16:11, "In his presence is fullness of joy and plentiful gladness". In the Old Testament, the Idea of Joy is expressed with the Hebrew Simchah (1Sam. 18:6), which could either mean, rejoice, exult, gladness excited, etc. And God is frequently the source and object of true joy. The Greek word for joy in the New Testament is chara, and it is seen to be the best state of mind for the believer and the appropriate response in every condition, as Jesus did.
In the first reading of today, the prophet Isaiah told us that messengers are racing to Zion with good news, watchmen are raising their voices with shouts of joy, and the entire nation is exalted to break forth into joyful song because, the Lord has come to visit and console his people. This same, sentiment is expressed by the Psalmist who invites all the earth to shout to the Lord and to ring out their joy. The author of the second reading of today, Hebrews 1:1-6, also beckons on us to see and have reason to rejoice, for all the prophecies of redemption and consolation which God made with men of old, has been fulfilled in our own day. For with the birth of Christ today, human nature has been sanctified and exalted, and we have received the powers and special grace of being called children of God. A privilege which not even the greatest of prophets of old had.
Child of God, as we celebrate Christ-Mass today, let us rejoice and celebrate, let us exult and spread the joy around, let us shun every activity contrary to the spirit of God and of virtue. Listen to me beloved, the coming of Christ is chiefly for our salvation, so, let us not in the pretext of celebrating Christ's nativity, sink deeper into the dungeon of sin and so wander very far beyond the redeeming arm of Jesus. May God bless you and increase you joy.
Do not be afraid for you will be remembered in my priestly prayers throughout this month. God bless you
Oh that today you would listen to his voice harden not your hearts (Ps.95:7-8)
LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, may your coming this Christmas fill my heart with exceeding joy and rid me of all bitterness and hatred...
The Lord be with you....... and with your Spirit.
May Almighty God bless you in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit......Amen
HAPPY CHRISTMAS BELOVED.
@ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪
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