December 11, 2022
Third Sunday for Advent (Year A)
Readings for Today
Listen for English
When John de Baptist hear for prison about the works wey Christ dey do, e send im disciples go meet Jesus with this question, “Na You be the person wey go come, or make we look for another person?” Matthew 11:2–3
Why Saint John de Baptist send im disciples go meet Jesus to ask this question? Remember say John don talk before about Jesus say, “See the Lamb of God, wey dey take away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). So if John know say Jesus na the “Lamb of God, wey dey take away the sin of the world,” why e come send im disciples make dem ask Jesus whether na Him be the person wey go come?
The Fathers of the Church examine plenty reasons, but most of dem conclude say John no do this because e no know who Jesus be. Instead, e do am for the sake of im disciples, so that dem go begin follow our Lord once Herod don kill John. So, this na one way wey e try use direct im disciples to Jesus and encourage dem to accept this new change for their life of faith.
Jesus understand why John send im disciples come meet Am. Because of this, Jesus give these disciples wetin dem need so that dem go come believe for themselves. E point dem to the works wey E don do as Christ, so that dem go fit understand the meaning of these works by themselves and, through this, enter new life of faith. Jesus point out say blind people dey see again, people wey no fit waka dey waka, people wey get leprosy dey clean, deaf people dey hear, dead people dey rise, and dem dey preach the good news to poor people. Who fit argue against this kind miraculous signs from Heaven? But Jesus even go further talk something wey get deep meaning wey person fit easily miss. E say, “And blessing dey for person wey no take offense because of Me.” This statement look like one way wey Jesus gently correct these disciples for wetin look like their own struggle to accept this change of spiritual leaders. Jesus point out one kind “offense” wey dem dey struggle with. Dem “take offense” because Jesus truly dey increase while John dey decrease.
For many ways, this na wetin people commonly experience anytime change dey happen for our spiritual lives. When something new come, we often dey struggle with different parts of the change and the new experience. But Christian life na all about change, transformation and new life. And this na good thing. We must seek to change, allow our lives to transform, build better and new relationships, learn new ways to love and reach out to people, and become comfortable well-well with each and every new experience wey our Lord bring enter our lives.
Today, reflect on any way wey you don struggle with changes for your spiritual life. Many times, those things wey we dey struggle with na actually wonderful opportunities to live our Christian faith and love for one new level. Look for the changes wey God dey call you to accept for your life, and know say even if dem hard, na dem be the surest way for you to live life wey holy pass before.
Dear Lord, I know say You dey call me to accept new life and the changes wey I must bear so that I go follow You more faithfully. Help me make I dey open to everything wey You dey call me to, so that I go continue to become new creation through Your grace. Jesus, na You I trust.
More Sunday Reflections for Video
Saint Andrew Christmas Novena
As tradition be, dem dey pray di Saint Andrew Christmas Novena prayer wey dey below 15 times every day from November 30, di Feast of Saint Andrew, reach Christmas Eve.
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Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Saint of the Day – Saint Damasus I, Pope
Dem no dey celebrate am as liturgical memorial this year because e fall on Sunday
Main picture above: St John de Baptist for prison, from flickr
