#fitting that it's 3rd sunday of advent i should think

[thebirdandhersong]

Well I'm sick and woozy and on top of that sufferin' but you can't take the joy out of a girl when the good Lord was the one who put it there in the first place

[tglob]

ADVENT: BE MODEST, DON’T IMPERSONATE – FR. OPARA

THE GLOBE

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ADVENT: BE MODEST, DON’T IMPERSONATE – FR. OPARA Do not think too high of yourself, be modest and do not claim whom you are not. Fr. George Opara of Holy Ghost Catholic Church Umuevu Okrikanweke Ahiazu Mbaise LGA gave the injunction in his homily marking the 3rd Sunday of Advent which coincided with the Harvest of Divine Favour: Family and Solidarity Harvest in the parish. Preaching on the theme: “Who are you?” the cleric noted that many like to place themselves higher than their status and stressed need to be humble, upright, firm and unbiased. He remarked that John the Baptist was sincere and truthful, and never lied about himself or claimed to be Christ or mightier than Christ. The clergyman observed with chagrin that many today would have bragged of whom they are, what they can do, the powers and authority they have but John was straight forward, simple and forthright. Fr. Opara bemoaned the craze for acquisition of titles that adds nothing to human righteousness and called for redress to minimize poverty, hardship, worries, anxieties, hypertension and other stress related diseases. In his text taking from John 1:6-8,19-28, Fr. Opara recounted: “When the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask John the Baptist, ‘Who are you?’ he not only declared, but he declared quite openly, ‘I am not the Christ.’ ‘Well then,’ they asked ‘are you Elijah?’ ‘I am not’ he said. ‘Are you the Prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ So they said to him, ‘Who are you? We must take back an answer to those who sent us. What have you to say about yourself?’ So John said, ‘I am, as Isaiah prophesied: a voice that cries in the wilderness: Make a straight way for the Lord.’ Now these men had been sent by the Pharisees, and they put this further question to him, ‘Why are you baptising if you are not the Christ, and not Elijah, and not the prophet?’ John replied, ‘I baptise with water; but there stands among you – unknown to you – the one who is coming after me; and I am not fit to undo his sandal-strap.’” Continuing, he said: “We should fellow the example of John – humility. Shun personal aggrandisement. Do not pride. Do not claim what you are not. Do away with impersonation. Come down from your prestigious high standing and be yourself. Keep to your level. Do not boast. Do not exaggerate. Eschew flamboyance. Be simple and Frank. No candle lights itself. Somebody must testify for you. John testified for the light, Jesus Christ. Wherever we are, bear witness for Christ like John. It is important to be humble. If you bring yourself low, God will lift you up. Jesus said in ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:11‬ ‘Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.’ All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return (Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3:20‬). We are preparing for Christmas – getting ready to welcome Christ. ‘Be happy at all times; pray constantly; and for all things give thanks to God, because this is what God expects you to do in Christ Jesus. Never try to suppress the Spirit or treat the gift of prophecy with contempt; think before you do anything – hold on to what is good and avoid every form of evil. May the God of peace make you perfect and holy; and may you all be kept safe and blameless, spirit, soul and body, for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. God has called you and he will not fail you (1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 )’ Let your good works speak for you. Remember, you must render account of your stewardship on earth before God the creator.”

The First Reading was taken from Isaiah 61:1-2,10-11 “He has sent me to proclaim a year of favour from the Lord,” Responsorial Psalm – Luke 1:46-50,53-54 “My soul rejoices in my God,” Second Reading “1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 “May you all be kept safe for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,” Gospel Acclamation Isaiah 61:1 (Luke 4:18) “Alleluia, alleluia! “The spirit of the Lord has been given to me. He has sent me to bring the good news to the poor. Alleluia!” Gospel – John 1:6-8,19-28 “There stands among you the one coming after me.”

Anyanwu D.C. Ahiazu Mbaise LGA Sun-17-12-23