Homily for Saturday of the 1st Week of Advent
Theme: Teaching, Preaching AND HEALING
By: Fr. Gerald M. Musa
Homily for Saturday December 4 2021
Jesus taught and preached passionately telling his listeners who God is and what his kingdom looks like. “He went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity” (Matthew 9:35). He preached persuasively about the values of the kingdom of God; he healed holistically, liberating people from physical, emotional, and spiritual bondage. He was a unique teacher. In describing different kinds of teachers, William Arthur Ward, a motivational writer, wrote: The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires. Jesus combines the triple qualities of a good, superior, and great teacher. He heralded and expounded the good news persuasively and he lived by what he preached. He is still the greatest healer who heals every kind of sickness and disease. -an ophthalmologist, psychiatrist, pediatrician, cardiologist, neurologist, obstetrician, and all other ‘ist’ and ‘ian’ specialisations. Besides, as an exemplary leader, he mentored his disciples and gave them the power to continue his mission of teaching, preaching the good news, and healing the sick and broken-hearted. He commissioned them to act in Persona Christi (in the person of Christ). We are also called to participate in the mission of Jesus. As we prepare for Christmas, we can ask ourselves the following questions. Do we participate in the mission of Christ by enlightening others? How do we imitate him in healing the broken-hearted?
Matthew 9:35-10:1, 5 a, 6-8; 1st Saturday of Advent