WEDNESDAY 3RD WEEK IN ADVENT – YEAR B – HOMILY
BY: Fr. Anthony O. Ezeaputa
Dear friends in Christ,
Today, on this Wednesday of the third week of Advent, we are blessed to hear two inspiring readings that speak to us about the power of faith and the fulfillment of God’s promises.
In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear about King Ahaz, who is facing a great crisis as the armies of Syria and Israel are threatening to attack Jerusalem. God sends Isaiah to offer Ahaz a sign, any sign, to reassure him that God will protect the city. But Ahaz refuses, saying he doesn’t want to test God.
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Isaiah responds by saying that God will give Ahaz a sign anyway: a virgin will conceive and bear a son, and his name will be Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.” This prophecy is fulfilled in today’s Gospel, where we hear the story of the Annunciation. The angel Gabriel appears to Mary, a young virgin, and announces that she will conceive and give birth to Jesus, the Son of God.
These readings remind us that God is always faithful to His promises, even when we doubt or lose faith. Ahaz was given a chance to trust in God’s plan, but he refused. Mary, on the other hand, responds with unwavering faith, declaring, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”
As we reflect on our own lives, we may ask ourselves: Are we like Ahaz, doubting God’s plan and refusing to trust in His promises? Or are we like Mary, surrendering our fears and doubts to God and embracing His plan with faith and confidence?
The season of Advent invites us to reflect on our readiness to receive Jesus into our lives. As we prepare for His coming, let us learn from Mary’s example and strive to respond to God’s call with humility, trust, and an open heart. May we surrender our fears, doubts, and conditionalities to Him and embrace His plan with an unwavering “yes.”
In conclusion, let us pray for the grace to trust in God’s plan and respond to His call with faith and confidence. May Mary’s example inspire us.
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