Homilies

Hope in God Homily

Fr Edwin · January 4, 2024

An Advent homily (Second Sunday of Advent) centered on hope as the theme of the season's second candle. Fr. Edwin teaches that true "light" of Advent isn't Christmas decorations but the light of a prepared heart — through confession, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Reflecting on John the Baptist's message ("one mightier than me is coming... he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit"), he cites Isaiah 40:31 ("those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength"), Acts 17:28, and Nehemiah 8:10 ("the joy of the Lord is my strength") to define hope as the theological virtue of desiring God as our highest good. Warns against placing hope in gifts, money, or material things, urging listeners not to "light up their homes" without first reconciling with family, caring for the poor, and receiving the sacraments — since joy, not wealth, is the true light that draws people to Christ.