END OF YEAR THANKSGIVING MASS OF CATHOLIC PROFESSIONALS AT THE HOLY SPIRIT CATHEDRAL
ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024
READINGS: ISAIAH 41:13-20/PSALM 144:1,9-13/MATTHEW 11:11-15
HOMILY BY BISHOP JOHN K. LOUIS
INTRODUCTION
As professionals in various fields, we have gathered around our Chief Shepherd, Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, to thank God for the manifold blessings showered upon us individually and collectively in the year (2024) coming to an end.
In the light of today’s readings, let us thank God particularly, for the hope He inspired in us at the beginning of the year, what He has achieved through us this year, and the renewed hope for better things in our various fields in the New Year (2025).
OUTLINE
- Liberation
- Removal of Obstacles
- Long Life and Prosperity
- God Himself will Accomplish them
- Instruments for Greater Things
- LIBERATION
The first reading from Isaiah 41 was a message of hope to the Jews who were in exile in Babylon. Firstly, the good news that the Jews would be liberated from exile gave them hope. Thus, the Lord God assured them:
“For I, the Lord your God,
hold your right hand;
it is I who say to you, ‘Do not fear,
I will help you’” (Isa. 41:13).
When the Jews heard this message, they were reassured, as it was a message from the God who, through Moses, had literally held the hands of their ancestors to liberate them from Egypt.
Beloved, unlike the Jews we may not be in a physical exile. However, we may be experiencing a spiritual exile due to sin and evil. Fortunately, God wants to liberate us and bring us back to Himself. Let us, therefore, with grateful hearts, confess our sins and enjoy His liberation.
- REMOVAL OF OBSTACLES
The second reason for the hope of the Jews was the assurance that whatever obstacle stood between them and their return home in Judah would be removed by God. The God who made the stubborn Pharaoh accede to the Israelites to travel out of his sight, and who made a way through the Red Sea would remove all humanly insurmountable obstacles. This is what He meant when He told Jews:
“you shall thresh the mountains and crush them,
and you shall make the hills like chaff.
You shall winnow them and the wind shall carry them away” (Isa. 41:15b-16a).
As professionals, we might have encountered various obstacles in the course of this year. However, some of us might have experienced the mighty hand of God which removed these obstacles, some of which we found insurmountable. Others too have been given hope that by the story of God’s liberation of the Jews. Let us, therefore, be grateful to Him.
- LONG LIFE AND PROSPERITY
The third reason for the hope of the Jews was God’s promise of long life and prosperity. Thus, the Lord told the Jews:
“When the poor and needy seek water,
and there is none …
I the Lord will answer them ….
I will open rivers on the bare heights,
and fountains in the midst of the valleys;
I will make the wilderness a pool of water,
and the dry land springs of water.
I will put in the wilderness the cedar,
the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive” (Isa. 41:17-19).
The Jews believed this message as they might have recalled God’s promise of the land flowing with milk and honey, His provisions to their ancestors of manna and water from the rock.
Beloved, let us thank God for the gift of life, the prosperity some have enjoyed and the hope of prosperity in New Year.
- GOD HIMSELF WILL ACCOMPLISH THEM
Above all, the reason for the hope of the Jews was that God Himself who would accomplish whatever was promised. And His track record from even before the Exodus from Egypt was indisputable! So, He told the Jews in exile:
“so that all may see and know,
all may consider and understand,
that the hand of the Lord has done this,
the Holy One of Israel has created it” (Isa. 41:20).
And indeed the Lord accomplished it, for the Jews returned to the land of Judah! Therefore, as we gather to thank God, let us also pray for greater faith in what He would do in our lives in the New Year and beyond!
- INSTRUMENTS FOR GREATER THINGS
Let us take the fifth and last lesson from the gospel reading (cf. Matt. 11:11-15). Let us focus on Jesus’ praise of St. John the Baptist: “Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he” (Matt. 11:11).
This statement of Jesus could be illustrated with the story of Moses. To the Israelites, Moses was the great champion of God’s liberation from Egypt to the Promised Land. Yet, he did not enter the Promised Land. Similarly, John the Baptist was the great messenger of God who prepared us to accept Christ as the Lamb of God who takes away our sins. Yet, he did not live to witness the divine and forgiving love of Christ on the cross of Calvary, His glorious resurrection and ascension.
So, let us not only rejoice in what God has or will accomplished for us, but like Moses and John the Baptist, let us avail ourselves so that He would use us as instruments to accomplish even greater things for others.
CONCLUSION
Dear Professionals and Beloved in Christ, let us be ever grateful to God for His liberation from sin and evil, for removing obstacles in our way, for the gifts of long life and prosperity, and for whatever He accomplishes in and through us!
Finally, on behalf of the Archbishop and his Auxiliary Bishops, I wish you all a happy Christmas and a hope-filled and prosperous New Year!
