Homily For Thursday Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 24th November, 2022. The Memorial of St. Andrew Dung Lac and Companions

Readings: Rev.18:1-2,21-23,19:1-3,9, Ps.99, Luke:21:20-28

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

DO NOT BE DECEIVED BY THE BEAUTY OF THE THINGS OF THIS PASSING WORLD FOR YOUR REDEMPTION IS DRAWING NEAR

As we continue to reflect on the great event about the coming of the Lord. Jesus in our Gospel passage today continues his warnings concerning what will happen to the beautiful things of this passing world which he illustrated very well by telling us what will eventually happen to the great city of Jerusalem in relation to what will happen at the end of all things. This passage contains the truth that we need to be reminded often. That is, the need for us to be prepared for the day of the Lord despite all the beautiful and a seductive things we encounter in this world.

Thus, as the great and holy city of Jerusalem was besieged and destroyed by the Romans in less than four decades after the death and resurrection of Christ, so will the things of this world pass away including those who are attached to them. Just as we also heard in our first reading today, the account of the declaration of the Angel of God at the end of the last trumpets how the world ends with the plagues, the final defeat of the devil and all the forces of the wicked, which is well illustrated with the fall of ‘Babylon’ that shall never rise again, for it has come to it’s final and ultimate defeat. While God has triumphed and won the ultimate victory for his faithful people.

Dear friends, there is no doubt that there are great signs of the end time event, but this should not be an occasion for fear rather, a period for intense preparations. Nonetheless, for the righteous it is a period of joy and happiness since our redemption from the powers of evil is close at hand. Although we do not know when, but, Jesus assures us that he will return in power and great glory. Therefore, we should take heed and do not be deceived by the beauty of the things of this passing world for our redemption is drawing near. 

This very kind of disposition is what we see in case of  St. Andrew Dung Lac and Companions whose memorial we celebrate today, for when they heard the Gospel they accepted it despite persecutions and even death. They realize that true happiness is found in interior living of the Gospel and not on material things of this passing world. They embraced martyrdom and became great instrument in preparing humanity towards the kingdom of God.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we make efforts everyday to prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ your Son, through the intercessions of St. Andrew Dung Lac and Companions give us the grace and courage to remain steadfast even in the midst of all the crisis in our world today. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful day.