LAITY REFLECTIONS FOR THE 3RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT (YEAR C)
1st Reading: Zephaniah 3:14-18a
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Isaiah 12:2-3.4bcde.5-6 (R. 6)
2nd Reading: Philippians 4:4 -7
Gospel Acclamation: Luke 4: 18
Gospel Reading: Luke 3:10-18
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Isaiah 12:2-3.4bcde.5-6 (R. 6)
2nd Reading: Philippians 4:4 -7
Gospel Acclamation: Luke 4: 18
Gospel Reading: Luke 3:10-18
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| Denis Ukange |
Today is a day of joy. It is a day to be glad because our God has taken away His judgement against us and has cast out our enemies.
We have different kinds of enemies in our lives. For some of us, our enemies are hunger and sickness, while for some of us, it's the people around us.
Whatever is disturbing you, that is giving you a hard life is your enemy. But be glad because God has taken it away.
Whatever problems you're faced with is your enemy, but do not fear, be glad because God is in your midst and He won't allow that enemy to win you. He will surely lead you through it and you will come out victoriously.
Just trust and don't be afraid.
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| Innocent I. Benedict |
In the First and Second readings, we reminded to always give thanks and praises to God Almighty He deserves it and despite what we are going through , we must always be grateful by giving God praises.
In the Gospel, St. John reminded us to love our neighbors as ourself, be kind and generous to our neighbors despite their qualifications, tribe, gender, religion and age.
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| Eshiebor Asemokhai Simon |
Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving, let your requests be made known.
The time I'm using to worry, if I'm using it to pray, will it be more fruitful?
The time I'm using to murmur, if I'm using it to sing, praise, and thank God, will it make any difference?
Sometimes anxiety comes to us, so we should waste our time on it.
Sometimes when I'm down, and troubled, I just pick my, Thank you Jesus chaplet to say.
This "Thank you, Jesus" prayer, using the chaplet, has a way of distracting me from my worries and helping me to make good use of my troubled "times," and of course, it converts my troubled times into fruitful times.
Dear friends, we can "trouble" our troubled times, by using them to offer thanksgiving to God.
If you doubt me, try it; whenever you are troubled, Thank Jesus, meditatively and prayerfully at least 50 times, and see. You'll discover you didn't waste your time. 😊
Trust God, He will turn things around
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| Rev. Fen Okoha, MSP |
Perfection begins with the recognition of imperfection
Perfect healing begins with the recognition of an ailment.
The theme of JOY resonates in all three readings and the question for us is, do we really have reason to rejoice in this present Nigeria situation....?
The answer is yes. For us to truly rejoice as a nation, the joy has to begin from every individual being aware of how we contribute to the devastating situation of the country through our positions in office or status in the society.
In Luke 3:10-18, the crowds ask John the Baptist, "What must we do?" in response to his call to repentance. John's answers are practical and specific:
- To the crowds, he says, "Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise."
- To the tax collectors, he says, "Collect no more than what is prescribed for you."
- To the soldiers, he says, "Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages."
In Nigeria, corruption, inequality, and poverty are major challenges. If we ask, "What must we do?" in response to rejoicing in the Lord despite the country's present state.
John says to us
- To those in positions of power and wealth, the answer is: "Use your resources to benefit the common good, not just to enrich yourselves."
- To those in the civil service, the answer is: "Do not collect bribes or extort money from citizens; instead, serve the public with integrity."
- To those in the private sector, the answer is: "Pay your workers a living wage, and do not exploit the poor and vulnerable for profit."
- To all Nigerians, the answer is: "Let us work together to build a more just and equitable society, where everyone has access to basic necessities like education, healthcare, and a decent standard of living."
We can only rejoice in the Lord as St Paul encourages if the Lord instils His Joy in our hearts as a reward for our good deeds. All three readings point out the fact that anyone who is aware of his need of God's direction on what to do will be filled with joy and wil rejoice in the Lord
May the joy of the Lord always be our strength and reward. Amen.
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| Olubunmi Akinbode |
Today's readings invite us to rejoice because the time for the divine visitation is near. He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.
To participate in eternal happiness, these group of people especially the tax collectors and the soldiers in today's Gospel, went to John the Baptist for directions..
The 'tax collector' represents those who buy and sell without scruples, thinking only of their advantage; in their clever deception, they cheat people, evade taxes and take advantage of the poor to exploit them and get rich. Anyone who behaves like the 'tax collectors' certainly cannot attain eternal happiness.
The 'soldiers' represent those who abuse authority, take advantage of their position and profession to exploit others. Those who dominate and overpower the weakest behave like 'soldiers' and are invited to review their behavior if they want to prepare themselves for the coming of the Lord.
May God give us the grace to prepare in obedience for the coming of our Messiah. 🙏.
Thank you.
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| Philips Okoye |
The readings we are sharing this third Sunday (Gaudete Sunday) of Advent , are quite reassuring because we are all called to rejoice and be glad . On this , God Himself is reaffirming HIS love by giving HIS only begotten son , our Lord Jesus Christ , to us.
Hence , we are called to live in the joy of this moment of expectations . And by this , we shall experience the in-dwelling of the presence of God as we anticipate the gift of the saviour of the world .
His coming will be such that will set us free from the bondage of sins , and will dispel every darkness casted upon us by worries and the the yoke of sins .
So , as we make our penitential preparations , reconciling with ourselves , our neighbors and our God , so as to be worthy of welcoming Christ at Christmas...we have cause to rejoice and be glad in the phase of Advent season.
Prayer : May the joy of this season fill our hearts as we prepare in top gears for the coming of our Lord....and that the Messiah Himself ,can find us worthy when HE comes , this we ask through Christ our Lord, Amen.
