Thursday, December 23, 2021
Weekday for Advent
Readings for Today
Saint John of Kanty, Fada—Memorial wey No Be Must
Listen for English
So dem use signs ask im papa wetin e want make dem call di pikin. E ask for board to write on, and e write, “Im name na John,” and everybody come dey wonder. Immediately, im mouth open, im tongue come free, and e begin talk dey bless God. Luke 1:62–64
Our beautiful story still dey continue as we dey near our Christmas Day celebration of the Birth of Christ. Today, we reflect again on Zechariah, the papa of Saint John the Baptist. We remember how God bless am and Elizabeth with this belle wey happen through miracle for their old age, after dem no fit get pikin before. Angel Gabriel appear to Zechariah inside the temple to reveal this glorious thing wey go happen, but Zechariah no believe the message. Because of this, e no fit talk again until today wey dem born the pikin.
Today Gospel show how Zechariah untie the knot of im unbelief. E do am as e obey the angel command to name the pikin “John.” According to their tradition, dem for name their first pikin Zechariah, after im papa. But God don choose the name “John,” so both Zechariah and Elizabeth get the chance to hold on to their faith and show am as dem accept the name wey God give their pikin.
For one way, we fit talk say Zechariah “correct the wrong wey e do.” E correct am as e choose faith and act according to am. This na strong testimony for all of us, because all of us don fail for faith one way or another. For Zechariah case, God punish am well-well, as E take away im ability to talk. But wetin we see today be say God no “take away” Zechariah ability to talk mainly to punish am, but so that E fit show Im glory through the way Zechariah show im faith. The thing “surprise” people as Zechariah carry out this act of faith and name im newborn pikin “John.” So now, im suffering don become something wey dey show the glory of God!
For all our lives, we fit often point to times wey we fail for faith. Sometimes, God see say e good to give us serious “punishment” because of this. We fit face suffering or hardship because we fail to listen to Im voice with all our heart. But know say any “punishment” from God no be mainly because of Im anger. Instead, most times, God dey allow the consequences of any lack of faith because E get something greater for mind. For this case, na so that E fit free Zechariah tongue for the right time, so that Zechariah fit glorify God with great faith. For our lives, we suppose look forward to make E do the same.
Today, reflect on any hardship wey you don endure because of your own weakness, sin or lack of faith. No see any hardship as punishment for the ordinary meaning of that word. Instead, see am as opportunity wey God dey use call you to give Am even greater glory.
Lord, I know say I no get enough faith for my life. I no dey believe all di things wey You dey tell me. Because of this, many times, I no dey put Your words into practice. Dear Lord, when I suffer because of my weakness, help me know say this suffering and every other suffering fit bring glory to You if I renew my faith. Help me, like Zechariah, to always return to You, and use me as instrument to show Your glory. Jesus, na You I trust.
O Antiphons for Advent
December 17–23
See All Our Materials for Advent
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Meditations on Scripture for Advent
Saint for Today – Saint John of Kanty, Priest
