December 24, 2019
Weekday for Advent – Mass for Morning
Readings for Morning Mass
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“You, my pikin, dem go call you prophet of the Most High, because you go go before the Lord to prepare Im way, to make Im people know salvation through the forgiveness of their sins. Because of the tender compassion of our God, the first light of morning from above go shine on us, to give light to people wey dey live for darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet enter the way of peace.” Luke 1:76-79
Zechariah talk this song of praise as soon as im tongue loose, after e show faith for the birth of im son John. And for this particular song of praise, Zechariah give God glory as e show no be only im faith, but also the fruit of im faith: deep knowledge of how the Father for Heaven dey work, wey clear, wey e fit express well, and wey show deep understanding.
Zechariah talk truths wey e fit know only through the gift of faith. Almost no doubt dey say the long time wey e spend for silence, after Angel Gabriel make am unable to talk, lead am to seek, hear and understand the mystery wey dey before am. E come realize say na im small pikin go prepare the way directly before the Lord come. E come understand the unique work wey this baby go do as prophet for the salvation of the world. E see im son as the “first light of morning” wey go announce the Sun wey dey rise.
Plenty things happen to Zechariah for these months of suffering. The Lord work for im life and give am the ability to offer this prayer of praise wey priest dem and people wey take religious vows dey sing every day throughout the world. Zechariah truly fulfil im mission as e stand up again after e fall.
The same thing must happen to each one of us. E for easy for Zechariah to turn to anger and lose all hope. E for easy for am to lose hope and feel say God don abandon am. But e no do so. E wait with trust say God go remain faithful and, when im time reach, e sing this beautiful song of praise wey full of faith.
Today, reflect on how God want make you follow the example of Zechariah for faith and perseverance. E for easy to look down on am because e doubt. But God no do so. Instead, E give am chance to honour Am through all the ages with this song. Seek the ways wey God want use even your past failures work. Offer dem to Am and trust say E go show Im almighty power through you as you try to follow the example of this holy man.
Lord, I offer You my past and all the ways wey I don fail to trust You. I give You my weakness, my pride and my frustration. I surrender all my sins to You and give You myself completely, so that You fit do with me as You want. Make Your grace dey work inside me and make I, like Zechariah, sing the glory of Your holy name forever. Jesus, na You I trust.
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
