This is How to Love!

This is How to Love!

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily for 6th Sunday of Easter, Year A

St. Mary of Assumption Church, Whittier, CA

Sunday, May 21, 2017

The Penny Catechism Book, Part II, Question Number 14, asks, “Why did God make us?” And the answer given is, “God made us to know him, love him, serve him, and to be happy with him forever in Heaven.” This explains that the very purpose of our very existence is to know, love and serve God; everything else we do—studying, working, raising a family, retiring, serving, being served, etc. should serve this very purpose. We realize our purpose and essence of life by knowing, loving and serving the Lord. We derail and stray when we do none of it. So, if there’s anyone out there who still questions or wonders what his or her purpose of life is, I hope you have your answer. 

In today’s gospel, (John 14:15-21), Jesus injects two of the purposes of life (love and serve God) in his farewell speech to his disciple and then connects them: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Keeping his commandments is the same as serving him. But guess what those commandments are? Love Jesus and his brothers and sisters! Sometime ago, I told a friend that in a traditional African society, the expression “I love you,” is rarely used. My friend asked me, “Then how do you know that someone loves you?” I replied, “You know by the way they treat you.” 

Jesus demonstrated his love for his Father by his obedience, and it is by obedience that we are to demonstrate our love for him. Love is not merely an emotion but a moral expression revealed in obedience. We know there are people who profess love in words but at the same time, bring pain and heartbreak to the same people they claim to love. There are young people who say they love their parents, but cause them sorrow, anxiety and sleeplessness. There are husbands who say they love their wives and wives who say they love their husbands, but through their inconsideration and thoughtless unkindness cause pain and grief to the very one they claim to love. To Jesus, love is a reality demonstrated only in true obedience.

What do we do to those we love? We try to have their best interest in mind. We try to make them happy. We try to avoid anything capable of destroying or impacting our relationship with them negatively. And if we are geographically separated from them we strive to stay in touch with them by telephone, email, social media etc. And when time permits, we visit. That’s what Jesus expects from us. If we love him, we will cherish him above all else and make effort to keep his commands. But does this mean that every time we sin we do not love him? Anytime we commit sin we love something or someone else more than we love Jesus. Loving Jesus entails changing our lives, our lifestyles, reforming our lives, working on our personalities and characters, stretching ourselves to cooperate with his grace. Loving Jesus requires putting him first, second and third before anything or anybody. Loving Jesus is making daily efforts to overcome and eliminate any form of sin no matter how small it is. Galatians 5:24 say, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.” St. Paul loved Jesus so much to the point of declaring, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). St. Peter loved the Lord that when Jesus asked him thrice, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He confidently replied, “Lord, you know everything; you know I love you” (John 21:17).

Now, the command to love Jesus and keep his commandment is not an easy task. Anyone who tells you it is easy is probably not observing it. Jesus himself knew it is not going to be easy, hence, he promised to send us the Holy Spirit: “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows him. But you know him, because he remains with you, and will be in you.” Jesus knows that keeping his commandments is not going to be an easy ride for us, so he promised, “I will not leave you orphans, I will come to you.”

Jesus is Put to the Test

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily for the First Sunday of Lent, Year A

St. Mary of Assumption Church, Whittier

Sunday, March 5, 2017

Temptation is an enticement, opinion or suggestion to commit evil. In itself, temptation is no sin; but yielding to it, is. Temptation tests our faith in God, and our victory or otherwise defeat in it will determine where we stand with God.  Today being the First Sunday of Lent, the Church presents us the Gospel story of Jesus’ temptation in the desert. Jesus, who had largely lived a private life with Mary was about to begin his public ministry. In preparation for his mission, he was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. To stay strong, Jesus prayed and fasted for forty days and forty nights, and thereafter, he was hungry. The devil, aware of Jesus’ needs showed up to tempt him. Now, the threefold temptation was directed at Jesus’ core: his identity, his fidelity and the covenant God made with the Israelites. Knowing that Jesus was hungry, the devil approached him and said, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.” The devil cleverly wanted Jesus to prove that he is the Son of God by performing acts that would gravely betray that very same identity. There was nothing essentially wrong in turning stones into bread, but if Jesus had done that, he would have used his powers selfishly. He would have  obeyed the devil. And obedience to the devil is disobedience to God. But Jesus was even more clever to say to the devil: “One does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Jesus knew his identity all too well, and didn’t need to prove it to the devil by doing the devil’s will. Do we know our identity? Do we really know who we are? Do we know that each of us is a beloved child of God? If you know your identity- that you are a beloved child of God, then don’t worry what the naysayers say about you. What they say you are, what they say in their gossip about you, is not who you are. You are God’s beloved! That’s your identity. As long as you act as such, you have nothing to worry about. 

Having lost out in the First Temptation, the devil took Jesus to the holy city, and made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and then said to him: “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written, He will command his angels concerning you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” But Jesus responded: “You shall not put the Lord, your God to the test.” The Second Temptation looks like the the First: “If you are the Son of God…” Again, the devil wanted Jesus to prove a point to him. Prove that you are God’s Son by jumping from the pinnacle of the Temple and then allow the angels to catch you and prevent you from dashing your foot against a stone. Jesus is God’s Special Son. He has powers, but doing what the devil suggested would amount two things: putting God to the test, and obeying the command of the devil. Some Christians have unreasonable faith. Some are so naive in the practice of their faith. Such people believe in a God of magic, not in the God of miracles. I worship a miracle working God, not a magic performing God.  A story is told of a young man who jumped into a lion’s cage in the zoo because the Bible promises that nothing harmful can happen to God’s children. It’s possible his soul went to heaven, but his body was a special lunch for the lions.

In the Third Temptation, the devil tests whether Jesus will uphold Israel’s covenantal relationship with God. After showing Jesus the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence, he said to him: “All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me.” At this point, Jesus rebuked the devil: “Get away, Satan! It is written, the Lord your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.” The devil was bitting more than he could chew. He actually wanted the Son of God to bow down and worship him. But Jesus showed him the exit door of his life and asked him to close the door behind him. Jesus wants the whole world to acknowledge him as the Lord and Savior, but he cannot achieve that by worshipping a false god. As children of God, are we allowed to pursue our goals by whatever means? Does the end justify the means? Are we supposed to use every available means- good or bad, to achieve our objectives? Jesus says no! The devil’s shortcut shortens and cuts our peace and joy. His shortcut is a shortcut to misery, sorrow and eternal damnation.

Jesus was tempted with selfish pleasure, with fame and with power, but in all of them, he showed his mettle, his faithfulness and commitment to his Father. Are those three things: pleasure, fame and power, not what everyone in the world is scrambling for, and most times, at the detriment of others, their faith and relationship with God? Now, we mustn’t regard Jesus’ temptation as an outward experience. These temptations did not happen outwardly, but inwardly. Each of them was a struggle that went on in Jesus’ heart, mind and soul. It’s not possible to have a mountain from where all the kingdoms of the earth could be viewed and seen. The Three Temptations were an inner struggle, and they happened to Jesus when he was most vulnerable and in need. Like Jesus, we all are tempted. And just as Jesus triumphed over all the enticements of the evil one, we too can. When the tempter calls you, call upon Jesus. When he offers you bread (which stands for bodily pleasure), seek for the Bread of Life. When he offers you fame, ask for the humility and simplicity of Jesus. When the tempter shows you the shortcut to prosperity, ease and comfort,  follow the Lord’s long road to true freedom.  But if you are too weak, too tired to pray, if your heart is torn in pieces and you seem confused, scream aloud and say: “Take me to the King.”

If You Want To Be Happy...

Beloved, today’s Gospel is one of the most beautiful and important in the New Testament. Why is it important? It’s important because it is Jesus, the Son of God telling us how to be happy. He’s teaching us how to achieve that which every one of us is searching for— happiness! To be blessed is to be happy! 

Now, at the center and heart of Jesus’ teaching are these two beatitudes: 

“Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy” and “Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.” One of the most important words used in the Old Testament to describe God is the Hebrew word, “Chesed” which means “tender mercy.” And in the New Testament, especially in the first letter of John, God is “Agape” (love). That means, the God we serve is tender and merciful’ he is also love. God is love! God should be seen as Chesed and Agape. Chesed is compassion; agape is desiring the good of others. Therefore, if we want to be happy, we must aspire to be like God. We must strive to love everyone regardless of race, religion and heritage. 

We must see God in everybody. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God “in everybody.” 

God bless you!

Fr. Marcel 

John the Baptist: A Paradigm of Humility

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

St. Mary of Assumption Church, Whittier, CA

Sunday, January 15, 2017

John the Baptist began his prophetic ministry with a bang. The bang was loud enough that it was heard from near, far and wide. His revolutionary message got the attention of the public; as such, people from various walks of life were going to see him. Even though he was preaching in a desert, a place far away from home, people ignored the odds, traveled to the desert to listen to him. He was such a pivotal and essential figure that it’s almost impossible to really understand Jesus without understanding John. 

John came from a priestly family. His parents— Zechariah and Elizabeth, were priestly personages. Elizabeth was a descendant of the family of Aaron, the first priest of Israel; Zachariah was a practicing temple priest when John was born. Even though John the Baptist was of a priestly stock, his great message and ministry did not take place in the temple. In his time, the temple was mired in very messy, vile, and violent politics. So, he went to the desert to offer to the people, what the temple should have offered to them, but wasn’t, due to widespread corruption. He went to the desert and preached hope and forgiveness of sins. He was so unique, so exemplary, so revered that many actually thought he was the Messiah. When people came to him, he never asked for money, or tithe, or seed-sowing, or first-fruit offering. He never turned his ministry into a money-making project. He never asked for any monetary or material favor. He only asked them to repent, to shift their attention to God, to get ready for the coming of God’s kingdom. He told them that even though they had lost their way, all hope was not lost, that something can still be done about their moral and spiritual collapse. He announced that God has already done something about the ugly situation—he has sent a Savior. John challenged everyone to turn to God with humility, to turn the page of sin and wickedness and accept the Son of God. 

When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask John who he was, whether he was the Messiah, his response was, “I am not the Messiah” (John 1:20). Later, he saw Jesus coming towards him and joyfully announced, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’” Did anybody notice the sincerity, humility and integrity of John the Baptist? When Jesus emerged, John knew that his fame and popularity will soon fade, but he was not jealous or upset. He was not perturbed that the spotlight is not going to be upon him anymore. He was not jealous that very soon, he will play a second fiddle role. Instead he turned all the attention he has been receiving to exactly where it properly belonged—Jesus. In fact, later on John said, “He must increase; I must decrease” (John 3:30). Amazing declaration of humility!

Friends, John the Baptist is a shinning example, a perfect exemplar, and a perfect role model for us all, especially for some clergy and religious leaders who have a problem with pride; who cannot work under another person, who think they are larger than life, and who always want to be, stay and remain in the spotlight. He is an epitome of example for us all, especially those who often claim to be what they are not. He’s a good example for those of us who are constantly craving for recognition, and who will do anything to always be in the news, etc. John was a highly placed and respectable prophet, but he did not let his popularity and fame to get into his head. He did not forget who he was and what his mission was about. He knew the role he was to play, and he performed it with distinction. No wonder Jesus said of him, “Amen, I say to you, among those born of women,  there has been none greater than John the Baptist…”

John did the people of his time and for every generation a huge favor. He revealed the Messiah. In today’s Gospel (John 1:29-34), he continues the epiphany of the Divine Son of God to all the nations of the world. After the magi met Jesus, paid him homage and offered him three important and symbolic gifts- gold, frankincense and myrrh, nothing was said about them again. We are not sure they narrated their experience to others, just as the shepherds did. So, when Jesus entered the stage, he was virtually unknown. It was John the Baptist, whose popularity had spread far and wide, that introduced him to the people. With the weight of his popularity, he witnessed and testified for Jesus. He refused to let pride and arrogance get in the way. He refused to let the temptation to upstage Jesus overtake him. He refused to contest the center-stage with Jesus. When the moment was right, he testified for Jesus. He revealed him to others. He turned the attention of his audience who were already thinking that he was the Messiah to Jesus. After that, he deliberately exited the stage, and never did anything that undermined the ministry, message and mission of Jesus. Amazing!

The magi’s gifts to Jesus were symbolic. Gold symbolized his Kingship, frankincense symbolized his priesthood, and myrrh symbolized that Jesus will die. But guess what? What John the Baptist said of Jesus in today’s Gospel reinforces what those gifts symbolized. John called Jesus, “the Son of God.” In many cultures and nations, the first son of a king is accorded the same respect given to the king because he, the prince, is a potential king. He’s a king in waiting. Since God is a King, that makes his only begotten Son a King. John also called Jesus, “the Lamb of God.” In those days, lambs  or another animals were killed and used as sacrifice. By calling Jesus the Lamb of God John was foretelling his death, that he will be killed and his Blood will atone the sins of the world. Finally, John said of Jesus, “On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.” That’s John telling us that Jesus is a priest. 

Like John the Baptist, are we willing to witness, testify and manifest Jesus to everyone we meet? Are we ready to decrease and then allow the Lord to increase in us? Letting the self decrease, and allowing the Lord to increase in us is what holiness is all about. 

Homily on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord

Who Actually Found the Lord?

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord

St. Mary of Assumption Church, Whittier, CA

Sunday, January 8, 2017

Friends, today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. Epiphany is derived from the Latin word, “Epiphania” which means, “reveal.” So, what we celebrate today is the revelation or the manifestation of the divine Son of God to the nations of the world. The Messiah is being made available, so to speak, not only to the Jewish nation, but to all the nations of the world. No one, therefore, should be shocked that the folks who first found the baby Jesus were not priestly people or deeply religious ones. The Gospel of Luke tells us that shortly after Jesus was born, an angel of the Lord appeared to some shepherds in the field nearby who were watching over their flocks at night and announced to them that in the town of David, a Savior has been born. On hearing the good news, they left everything, went to Bethlehem and found Mary, Joseph and the baby. Thereafter, they went to town and spread the word around (Luke 2:1-20). This is what evangelization is all about. You receive the word, you spread the word. The Gospel of Matthew, on the other hand, tells us that after Jesus was born, some magi from the east, through the reading of a star, came to Jerusalem in search of the baby Jesus. They came to do him homage; they came to surrender to him; they came to offer three gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh; gifts that symbolize who the baby is, what he will accomplish, and what will happen to him. The gift of gold explains who the baby is—a King; frankincense also tells who he is and what he would do—a priest who will offer a lasting sacrifice. And the gift of myrrh tells of what would happen to him. He will die on the cross. The sacrifice that this King and Priest will offer is not going to be done with animals’ blood, but with his own blood. He will die to set us free. Now, while these folks were looking for the new born King to pay homage to him, King Herod was looking for him to destroy him. Even after searching the scriptures and knowing of its prophesy regarding the new born child, he was still determined to take him out.  

It is important to consider how people of different religious beliefs came to know that the Messiah has been born. The shepherds in Luke’s Gospel came to know through a direct vision of an angel. The magi from the east came to know by reading and studying the stars. King Herod and the scribes came to know through the scriptures. But in the end, who actually found Jesus? In those days, the shepherds were not allowed to enter the temple unless they undergo a ritual purification. The magi from the east were astrologers. They would be called pagans, even by some Christians today. Yet, they were the ones that found the baby Jesus. The shepherds found him by obeying the words of an angel . They did not doubt the supernatural apparition like many would do today. The magi, on the other hand, arrived at the side of Jesus by applying their natural reason in the reading of a star.  But Herod and his folks who had the scriptures did not find him. They had the shining truth of the scriptures, but they did not abide by it. They did not walk in the light of the scriptures. The magi and the shepherd, on the other hand, followed the guidance of angel and a star light. No doubt, the angel is the angel of the Lord. No doubt, the light is the light of the Lord. But the scripture is also the word of the Lord. But due to earthly power, position, fame, etc, Herod refused to follow the dictates of the scripture. As such, he missed out. Possession of the truth is important, but those who possess the truth must walk in the light of the truth.

As Catholics, we believe that our religion has the fullness of the truth. But of what benefit would that be if we do not walk in the truth? Nature worshippers or non-believers who sincerely follow the dim light of natural reason may arrive by the side of Jesus before us. In Matthew 21:31, Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.” This is part of the tough truth we celebrate today. The exalted truth has been revealed to us. God has been manifested to us. But if we do not walk the walk of faith, like Herod, we may miss the amazing opportunity of finding the Lord and enjoying his blessings. Herod had the scripture, but he wasn’t saved. Ordinary folks who were sincerely searching for God were able to find him. Herod was not interested in seeing Jesus. Those who seek the Lord will surely find him. It is good to know the Bible. It is good to quote the Bible.  If you can quote it from Genesis to Revelation, that’s good. But we must be ready at all times to become a living bible by words and deeds. The divine Son of God has been made known to us; we have seen his light in our lives. Like the shepherds, let’s announce it to all and sundry. Like the magi, let’s offer him something we treasure the most. I hope it is our life!

Resolve Like Mary, the Mother of God

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily on the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

St. Mary of Assumption Church, Whittier, CA

Sunday, January 1, 2017

Friends, today is the first day of the week; the first day of the New Year, 2017 and the first day of January. The name “January” is derived from the Roman god, Janus. Janus is the god with two faces—one looking to the past and the other looking to the future. It’s actually the time to look back at the year that ended yesterday and also to look forward to the new year which begins today. In case you haven't noticed, that’s exactly what people do that eventually leads to what we call, “A New Year’s Resolution.” Making a new year’s resolution is the end product of self-reflection and examination. After looking back at the life we lived in the course of the year that just ended, we resolve and promise to change and reform our lives moving forward. We resolve to make amends, to do things better, to right the wrong, to heal a broken relationship, to get back up in our relationship with God and with others. I am sure, many of us have already done our new year’s resolutions.  

Now, here is the most interesting part, and it is all good news. While we were doing our new year’s resolutions, our awesome God was also doing his own. But his resolution is not caused by error. It’s not a resolution inspired by God’s failing, weakness and imperfection. God is a spotlessly perfect being. There is no error in God. His new year’s resolution is inspired by boundless love and goodness. While we have a list of something bad we do not want do again, and something good we want to do, God’s list is full of amazing things he wants to do for us in this new year. In the first reading taken from Numbers 6:22-27, he says: I will bless you and keep you! I will let my face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! I will look upon you kindly and give you peace! And if you ever invoke my name, I will always bless you. 

God’s New Year’s resolution is to bless us beyond our imagination. As we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, the Church teaches us to look upon her as a model, that is, as a perfect exemplar, as someone to imitate. She is the model of a new life in Christ, the new life we want to live in this New Year. Like us, Mary too made a resolution. From the moment she declared, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38), she never looked backwards. She was faithful to the end largely because she pondered and reflected God’s words to her. She wasn't the talking type. She valued the word of God so much, pondered and reflected over them in her heart (Luke 2:5). Her holiness is attributed to the grace of God, but that does not mean that she did not make effort to cooperate with the grace of God. 

God spoke to the blessed Mother through angels and through her own experiences. Today, God continues to speak to us through the Sacred Scripture, the Church and our personal experiences of life. But we need to make out time for God in order to hear him. One of our New Year’s resolutions could be spending time with the Lord. It could be that we stop making excuses as to why we cannot deepen our relationship with God. In the lists of what we intend to accomplish, God’s matter shouldn't be the item to be crossed out or be left at our most convenient time. Let’s begin this year with God, and like Mary, resolve to be God’s handmaid. 

My One Christmas Wish

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily on the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)

St. Mary of Assumption Church, Whittier, CA

Sunday, December 25, 2016

Friends, today is Christmas. On every Christmas, we celebrate the birth of the Son of God and the Redeemer of humanity, Jesus Christ. We celebrate the birth of love—divine love, God’s lavished and extravagant love for us: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosever believes in him will not perish, but will have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Today we celebrate the greatest miracle of all—God becoming a human being, migrating from heaven and relocating into our neighborhood. Today, we celebrate the birth of peace, the kind of peace the United Nations cannot possibly give; we celebrate the birth of freedom, the kind of freedom that no human government can guarantee. We celebrate the miracle of salvation that no human deeds or words can fetch. We celebrate the birth of hope—hope like no other, hope that is real and attainable, hope that is based on God’s unconditional love for us.

Today’s Solemnity calls for a joyful celebration because God has made our earth an extension of his Kingdom. God’s Kingdom has come. God has come. God is with us, within us and among us. The angels of God, right now, are singing how blessed and highly favored we are. Last Sunday, I said in my homily that we are not damned people but blessed and delivered children of God. Because of love, God set aside the natural order of conception in order to give us a spotless Savior. Because of love, God did what none of us is willing and ready to do for the pets we love. For lovers of dogs like me, none of us, no matter how much we love our dogs will be willing to become like them. When I had my dog, Max, I loved him so dearly. I provided for him, cared for him, protected him, and made sure he received medical care from a licensed veterinarian. As much as I loved Max, there was no way I would have agreed to become a dog, sniff the ground, lick the floor and the skin of people, eat stuff thrown into a garbage. No way! I loved my dog, but I wouldn't go as far as taking his form and nature. But guess what? That’s exactly what Jesus did for us. One other thing, when I had Max, I tried to teach him to stay within our fenced property. I never wanted him to run out through the gate because I was concerned he may be hit by a car. But one day, Max ran outside into the street. I called him over and over again but he did not listen. I pursued him shouting, “Max, Max, Max, stop, stop, stop,”  he ignored my call and then ran into a busy road and was immediately hit by a fast moving car. I feared the worst had happened. He started groaning and crying. I was so sorry for him. I cried for his pain. But do you think if I was offered the chance to be hit by a car instead of my dog that I would have taken the offer? Oh no! Yet again, that’s what Jesus did. Amazing, isn't it?

I want to use this opportunity to thank all those who sent me Christmas gifts. I’m very grateful. Your gifts meant a lot to me. May God bless you. As much as I cherish those presents, I still want one Christmas gift. It’s not really a gift, it’s a wish. It’s a Christmas wish. If I had one Christmas wish, it would be that we all live together in love as brothers and sisters. That’s what Jesus teaches us in John 13:34, “Love one another as I have loved you.” If I had one Christmas wish, it would be to establish peace—Christ’s peace all over the world. That’s what Jesus gives us: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you” (John 14:27). If I had one Christmas wish, it would be to end all wars, to stop bombs falling like rain. If I had one Christmas wish, it would be that the people of Syria be safe and live in their homeland again. If I had one Christmas wish, it would be to end all terrorism. St. Paul urges us to live in peace with everyone (Romans 12:18). If I had one Christmas wish, it would be that Jesus is accepted by all and his message lived out without hypocrisy. After all, Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6). The world is largely in chaos because of our refusal to believe and walk in his way. If I had one Christmas wish, it would be to eradicate all rivalries, divisions, hatred and racial resentments. Jesus came to reconcile us with God and with each other. He came that we may have life, life in its fullness (John 10:10). Rivalries, divisions, hatred and racial bias make it impossible for us to live a fulfilled life. If I had one Christmas wish, it would be that all lives be respected and protected. That’s what Mary and Joseph taught us by their example. When the life of the infant Jesus was threatened by King Herod, they took him and ran to Egypt. If I had one Christmas wish, it would be that at all time, we will appeal to our better angels, elevate them and bring out the best in each other. That’s exactly what Jesus did to the woman caught in the act of adultery (John 8: 1-11). The men who brought her to Jesus had concluded that she was no good. But Jesus saw the angel in her. He saw that the woman has what it takes to be good again. For him to say to her, “Go and sin no more” (John 8:11) means he believed in her. He saw that the angel in her can outshine the demon in her. He forgave her and gave her a fresh start. If I had one Christmas wish, it would be to end untold suffering and hunger in Africa, Middle East and everywhere. Jesus was interested in ending hunger when he multiplied five loaves of bread and two wish and fed a multitude (Matt.14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17 and John 6:1-15). If I had one Christmas wish, it would be a peaceful resolutions of all political crisis, sitting at the table of dialogue and resolving all differences. In Matthew 5:23-24, Jesus teaches us that if we are bringing our gifts to the altar and halfway we remember that we have something against our brother or sister, that we should leave our gifts there, then go and reconciled with them first. Peace and reconciliation are more important than the offering of material gifts. If I had one Christmas wish, there would be no strife, injury and hurt. God through Jesus came to bring us healing. If I had one Christmas wish, it would be that you and I are happy, healthy, peaceful and saved. My one Christmas wish is that Jesus be born in the hearts and lives of everyone. 

Merry Christmas, everyone!