In our culture, as Ibos, names are powerful and often have an embedded meaning that tells a story, describes a situation, makes a statement, states an intention, or even declares a wish. One of my friend’s name is “Akujobi,” which means “The reconciler, the one who softened the heart toward peace. He was named “Akujobi” because his parents experienced great opposition to their marriage from both families. But being in love coupled with Western education, they defied the family’s opposition and got married. Anger, bitterness, and resentment ensured, and communication went south. When his mother took in and gave birth to him, his grandparents had to let go of their bitterness and angst to embrace their grandchild. So, his parents named him “Akujobi.” My friends, there is no better name for Jesus Christ than “Akujobi I—the Reconciler in-Chief”— since He is the one who reconciled us with God and delivered us from His anger.
No wonder this Sunday is called “Rejoice Sunday”, and the readings summon us to bask in joy, and to glory in the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the Reconciler-in-Chief, who has freed us from the bondage of sin and death and reconciled us with the Father. The first reading (Zephaniah 3:14-18) called for jubilation, “Shout for joy, O daughter of Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! The LORD has removed the judgment against you”. Woo! God is on our side, as Scripture says, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through him” (John 3:17).
The second reading (Phil 4:4-7) stays on the same lane, “Brothers and sisters: Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Have no anxiety at all”. So, these readings call us to let go of our past sins and errors, celebrate our reconciliation with God, in Christ Jesus, get rid of the spirit of unforgiveness, and move on. Let go! Let God! And get going. My friends, Christmas has no room for holding grudges. It is not worth it. No one should ever have the power to hold my spiritual life down. I reject it in the name of Jesus.
In the gospel reading, people came to John the Baptist and asked him, “What shall we do? John did not demand that they wear sackcloth and sit in ashes; he did not tell them to offer more sacrifices and do week-long fasting; he simply told them to work on the areas of their greatest weakness. To the public, he told them to overcome self-centeredness and embrace charity and compassion. To the tax collectors (traders and businessmen), he told them to avoid Greed and embrace honor and integrity. To the soldiers (those in power and authority), he told them to avoid bullying, oppression, extortion, and subjugation and embrace gentleness, kindness, and self-control.
To you and to me, he said……….
What would John the Baptist say to us if we were to ask him, “How about us? What situations in our life will he point to that pose the greatest threat to our spiritual joy? The Word has taken flesh and now dwells among us. How is that indwelling of the Word working out in us so that our Christmas will be merry? May the joy of this Christmas envelope our hearts and minds and bring us to a fruitful celebration. Amen!
Monsignor Nwaorgu is of St Michaels Church, Union, New Jersey, USA.
