December 16, 2022
Friday for the Third Week of Advent
Readings for Today
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“John na lamp wey dey burn and shine, and for some time, una dey happy to rejoice for him light. But I get testimony wey greater pass John own.” John 5:35–36
Na true say when we get something good, something wey dey give us joy, something wey we dey thankful for, e dey easy for us to rejoice because of that good thing. But when something wey even better come take the place of the good thing wey we get, we dey leave the old one and hold the new one tight. For the level of things wey pass natural power, na so e happen as people move from being followers of Saint John the Baptist come become followers of Jesus.
At first, many people dey happy to rejoice for John “light.” Dem enjoy him preaching and the testimony wey him own life give, and dem see how the baptism of repentance wey he give dem affect their lives. But as dem direct the people to Jesus, and the people become His new followers, dem for get even more joy and peace as dem dey with the Lord wey dem just come know. To first make this change fit don hard. But as dem come know Jesus Himself, dem for don dey deeply thankful.
The passage above dey point out this spiritual principle. For so many people, “John na lamp wey dey burn and shine,” and him followers dey very happy with everything wey John give dem. But Jesus point out to John followers say His own testimony greater by far.
Wetin be Jesus “testimony”? First, He talk say na the works wey the Father give Him to do. These na His miracles, His preaching and the good example wey His own life show, wey make so many people wonder with deep respect. But Jesus still talk say the Father don also testify on His behalf. This mean say one special way wey Jesus greatness dey show na say people wey encounter Him dey also encounter the Father for Heaven, wey dem no dey see with their eyes. But Jesus make am clear say when dem see Him and listen to Him, dem dey also encounter the Father.
One thing wey this dey tell us na say we must open our hearts to the Father testimony for our lives. The Father testimony dey reach us when we allow our souls to truly hear the Father voice as He dey speak to us through the Son. Everything wey Jesus do and talk for the Scriptures, all the graces wey we dey receive through the Sacraments, and every time we encounter our Lord through prayer, na ways to come know the Father for Heaven.
Today, think deeply about this great truth: God the Father want get deep and personal relationship with you. He want speak to you, reveal Himself to you and come close to you. No let this Advent pass without using prayer to seek His voice, and allowing Him to testify to you about His love and care for you. The Son of God come into this world so that He fit become one with you. And through that oneness, He dey reveal the love of the Father for Heaven to you.
Most holy Father for Heaven, I truly want come know You and Your perfect love wey close to my heart. Abeg, open my mind and heart to You more fully for this Advent season, so that I fit turn away from all the lights of this world wey dey fade and pass away, and come to the one deep Light of Your loving Heart. Jesus, na You I trust.
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.
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Main image above: The baptism of Christ, through rawpixel
