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Rev.
Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia
MAKING
A HUMBLE SUBMISSION TO GOD 'S PLAN
As we
await the commemoration of the nativity of our Lord Jesus, an event that
reminds us and reveals to us the great plan of God towards the redemption of
humanity. This Sunday we are required to say yes to God’s plan and this yes
requires the sacrificial love for God and humanity that will make us abandon
our personal plans in order to embrace the plan of God. Hence we are called to
reflect on the theme of Love. This is evident in our readings today beginning
with the first reading where we heard about King David who now was a king of a
united kingdom of Israel, with Jerusalem as the capital, set out to build a
house for the Lord. But the Lord knowing David’s plan asked him through prophet
Nathan to stop, for instead it is the Lord who will build a dynasty for David,
a dynasty that will last forever, a promise which was fulfilled in Jesus as
echoed by angel Gabriel’s words to Mary in our Gospel passage today.
Thus,
today’s Gospel presents to us the story of the annunciation by the angel to
Mary. An event which immediately precedes the story of the annunciation to
Zechariah (1:5-25). These two stories are unique and special. The
condition of the women in these stories reveals the unique plan of God for each
one of them because, neither Elizabeth (Zechariah’s wife) nor Mary at that
moment was a likely candidate for childbearing. This is so because, Elizabeth
was too old, so John’s birth will require a miracle. Mary was a virgin, so
Jesus’ birth will require even a greater miracle. But in all, God planned and designed it to be so and both Mary and Elizabeth saying yes, cooperated with the
plan of God. An action that shows the sacrificial love they have for God and humanity.
Concerning
this plan of God and the sacrificial love required, St. Paul in our second
reading says, “Glory to him who can give us the strength to live
according to the Good News I preach, and in which I proclaim Jesus Christ, the
revelation of a mystery kept secret for endless ages, but now so clear that it
must be broadcast to pagans everywhere to bring them to the obedience of
faith”. This is the plan of God for humanity, for God wants to reconcile with
us for us to fulfil the purpose for which he created us.
Dear
friends, saying yes to God’s plan for us is so important. And I must tell us
that God has a special plan for everyone, a unique plan. But we are
required in a sacrificial way to make a humble submission to God’s plans over
our plans. Though, sometimes it seems as if God has favoured some
persons more than others. Well, in the eyes of men it seems true, but God has favoured each person in a very unique way only that we sometimes do
not understand what God is doing in our lives. Our understanding of favour is
quite different from that of God.
Therefore,
all we need is to say yes and trust in God for he has plans which are meant
uniquely for each person. We do not need to know the plans God has for us, all
we need is to trust and cooperate with his plan. For God alone knows the plans
he has for us and in due time he will reveal them to us just as he revealed to
Mary the plan he has for her through the angel all we need is to love God and
make a humble submission to his will for us.
LET US
PRAY: Heavenly Father, as we approach the birthday of Christ your Son, give us
the grace to constantly embrace your will and plans for us by saying yes to
your words. Help us cultivate the inner attitude of silence and recollection
in order to welcome Christ joyfully when he comes, who lives and reigns forever
and ever. Amen. Do have a grace-filled Sunday.
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