We all as Christians have a vocational call to be light of truth and goodness to all people living in the shadow of darkness. This is the starting point of Jesus’ message: “repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This was the very message of John the Baptist. “Turn from your sins, and back turn to God, because the kingdom of heaven is near.”
One of the most astonishing titles of Jesus Christ in the Gospels that relate to his mission of saving mankind is the Lamb of God who takes always the sins of the whole world. Jesus Christ is the sacrificial lamb who willingly offered Him to God to atone for our sins. It was the purpose of God for Him to be the immaculate, innocent and obedient lamb that gave up Himself for all.
The feast of today, the epiphany of the Lord Jesus Christ beats our imagination of GOD FOR ALL without exclusion from the fold or cliquish within the fold. The readings of the day attest to this fundamental principle of our faith and Christian living.
Today’s Feast of Mary, the Mother of God, is a very appropriate way to begin a new year, reminding us to rely on the powerful intercession of our Heavenly Mother. Indeed, what an honour and privilege to have the first day of 2023 the Lord´s day: Sunday. It is an indication and an invitation to begin the year with the Lord of Time, History and Life.
LOVE, JOY, PEACE, GRACE AND LIFE The beautiful themes of Christmas are love, joy, peace, grace and life. It reveals to us that: God is love 1 John 4: 8, 16. It is assured of the joy of the Lord…
Immanuel: God with us is the most beautiful and comforting theme of the Advent and Christmas seasons. The intervention of God in human history through Christ Jesus, after so many seasons of sins and failure, was a life-changing moment. Our lives, existence and history were changed forever. Indeed, it was a moment of encounter when God redirected and reformulated everything about us, our relationship with Him and with one another.
We are invited to hope and joy at this season of Advent and Christmas. Traditionally, the third Sunday of Advent is called “Gaudete” Sunday. The day takes its common name from the Latin word “Gaudete” (“Rejoice”). The first word of the entrance antiphon of this day’s Mass: “Gaudete in Domino Semper…” which means “rejoice in the Lord always”.
Honestly, we cannot prepare and celebrate Christmas without reconciliation and peace with God, others and ourselves.
This Sunday, we have the theme of peace through repentance and reconciliation with God, others and oneself in loving preparation for Christ’s birth at Christmas.
It is a new season of the church’s liturgical year, the season of advent which means the lord’s coming to save us and our hopeful waiting in preparation. The word advent in Latin “adventus” means “coming”.
This is the coming of Jesus into the world. Advent is intended to be a season of anticipation for Christ coming, preparation for Christ coming and reparation for Christ coming at Christmas. Advent also marks the start of the liturgical New Year and a moment of grace, mercy, peace, love, and salvation.
What marks the kingship and reign of Christ from every other kingship or reign is peace. The kingship and reign of men have always been one of violence, bloodshed and lack of enduring peace. The British movie “THE GAMES OF THRONES” depicts this horrible reality and the characteristics of the reigns and kingships of men.