Hence my brothers and sisters in Christ, like today’s first reading and gospel reading teaches us, let us bypass the pleasures of this world by truly trusting in God and always pleasing Him, so as to receive the eternal reward - the unlimited happiness of heaven set up apart for us.
Since Humility is the first and most important step toward a life of holiness and the foundation of all virtues, let us live humbly before God and deepen our relationship with Him by always acknowledging our lowliness and sinfulness before Him like Prophet Isaiah, St. Paul and St. Peter did in today’s readings. Always remember the words of St. Augustine that states, “the way to Christ is first through humility, second through humility, third, through humility”
My brothers and sisters, let us go out like Simeon and Anna to praise, adore, worship and glorify our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Light and a of the world.
Today my dear friends, we are reminded by St. Paul in our Second Reading of how blessed we are as God’s children; and of these blessings or gifts or talents God has given us. So let us follow the example of Jesus in today’s Gospel Reading and go into the world to put those gifts, talents, abilities and blessings we have received from God to good use for the greater glory of His Holy Name.
So my dear brothers and sisters in Christ, rejoice and be glad because our LORD delights in us, for we are a glorious crown in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem held by our God. Worship, praise and adore God wholeheartedly and always, then like Jesus in the gospel reading, go out into the world and put to good use, the spiritual gifts God has bestowed on you as St. Paul informed us in today’s Second Reading.
So my dear brothers and sisters in Christ, as we celebrate the Solemnity of the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ today, let us once again meditate on the importance and significance of the Sacrament of Baptism in our lives as Catholic Christians and strive to utilize its fruits to proclaim and live out the Gospel of Christ in our world today.
So my brothers and sisters in Christ, it is time as stated by Prophet Isaiah in today’s First Reading to rise up in splendor, because our light (Jesus Christ) has come, and His glory has shone upon us. Hence, let us go out into the world and manifest our Lord to all in our thoughts, words and actions by totally trusting in God and constantly worshiping Him.
So my brothers and sisters, let us go and make our families holy like the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph today by making God the center of our families and by truly and sincerely loving one another.
My brothers and sisters, as we come closer to birth of Christ, let us not forget the message of Christ’s coming into our world and our lives, which is, to do the will of God. So let us do the will of God by practicing love always, by being faithful to God and by being humble.
My brothers and sisters, as we draw closer to the birth of Christ on Christmas Day, let us work harder this Advent season to bring the happiness and joy of God into our lives first and then, into our world by praying constantly and consistently; by being generous and charitable and by being just and honest in our dealings with others.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, let us start preparing the way of the Lord and making straight his paths this Advent season by sincerely and prayerfully reflecting on our thoughts, words, and deeds in order to identify our sins and failings, and by participating in the sacrament of Confession to receive forgiveness for our sins.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, it is a well known fact that our Savior is coming to save us, so let us stand erect and raise our heads as Jesus urged us in today’s gospel reading by doing what is right and just when we truly love God and our neighbor; and by being vigilant in our spiritual lives through doing an examination of conscience, going to confession, praying more consistently, and lastly, by practicing mortification.
My brothers and sisters, as we celebrate Christ, the King of Kings in our lives today, let us be His loyal and faithful servants, who will truly work for Him in establishing His kingdom on earth when we go out and proclaim His kingdom that is eternal, universal, holy, grace filled, just, loving and peaceful to the world.
How are we preparing ourselves for the second coming of Christ or for judgment day? We can prepare ourselves for the second coming of Christ or judgment day by truly understanding and accepting the Word of God proclaimed and explained to us; by sincerely following Christ in word and deeds; and by continually praising and honoring God all the days of our lives.
Let us emulate the example of the two widows in today’s readings by being loving and generous to our brothers and sisters in need, so that we will be blessed all the more and praised by our God as we answer His call to be charitable to others.
