Homily for Friday of the 2nd Week of Advent
Theme: Radical christian living
By: Fr. Francis Onwunali
Homily for Friday December 10 2021
The central message of today’s liturgy is “radical Christian living”. Radical, from the latin “radix” meaning “root”, hence, being rooted in Christ. Christ is the Vine, we are the branches, and cut off from Him, we can do nothing.
In the first reading (Is 48: 17-19), Isaiah speaks of how God will reward those who walk in His ways; their names will never be blotted out before Him. The Lord will make things right with His coming. So how prepared am I to welcome the Lord, my Saviour as He comes? Will the blessings of prosperous harvest come my way because I am focused in doing God’s will?
In the gospel (Matt 11: 16-19), Jesus Christ reminds His disciples that in doing the will of God, criticisms certainly will come their way, however, their actions will vindicate them. “Truth shall set you free”! (John 8: 32)
Dear friends, our doing good deeds is not to be motivated by the expected reward, rather should be occassioned by our love and the deep roots we have in God. Do not live so as to be praised by human beings, but let the will of God be your guide even when a mockery is made of you based on your being rooted in Christ.
I pray as we journey in life today, like God’s children redeemed in the radical “novum” of God’s only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our radical living will liken us to the person in the words of the Psalmist: “He is like a tree that is planted beside the flowing waters, that yields its fruits in due season and whose leaves shall never fade; and all that he does shall prosper” (Ps. 1: 3). Have a Christ-rooted living day!
Fr. Francis Onwunali