REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE 3RD WEEK OF ADVENT 22ND DECEMBER 2023

REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE 3RD WEEK OF ADVENT 22ND DECEMBER 2023

1Samuel 1:24-28; 1Sam.2; Luke: 1:46-56

A Life of Thanksgiving

The readings of today tell us that we are in for thanksgiving. For us to do this very well, we need to first be conscious of what has happened to us and also see the connection between God’s hands and the happenings in our lives. When we are able to understand that it has been God, then we can understand the need to give thanks. In the first reading, Hannah came back to the temple; this time, with her son. She was able to see a connection between her earlier presence in the temple, praying for a child, and her ability to conceive and bear a son after so many years. In her thanksgiving, she came to fulfil her vow to the Lord.

One thing we learn from Hannah is that we must see the handiwork of God in our lives as an invitation to draw closer to him. Each time God fulfils his promise of blessing us, let us also recommit ourselves to our baptismal promises of serving God and renouncing the devil. It is by so doing that the act of thanksgiving can make us holier Christians.

Thanksgiving is also an act of humility because it means that we realize that it has been God not man or anything else. It could have been very easy for Hannah to be carried away by her birth of Samuel. She could have been distracted with revenging those who had been mocking her for her years of barrenness. The Blessed Virgin Mary on the other hand, could have focused on parading herself and commanding respect and recognition from everyone since she is now bearing the expected messiah. No! Hannah and Mary were able to understand that what they both received were unmerited. So, if at all their voices will be heard, it must be in giving thanks to God.

Thanksgiving is not all about dancing to the altar of God. It is an attitude of recognizing ones dependence on God. An attitude that increases trust in God who is love Himself. Thanksgiving keeps our hearts and minds always in the Lord. It also gives us the confidence to trust that God is with us even when situations around may want to prove otherwise.

Beloved, we are in a special season of thanksgiving. Don’t just say it or do it but also live it. As you say thank you to God, as you dance to the altar of God, also develop an attitude of gratitude so that everything about you says thank you to God at every point in time.