Liturgical Colour : White

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today as we celebrate together this wonderful day, we are all reminded that we are witnesses of the truth and the revelations which our Lord Jesus Christ had brought into the world. We are all called to be the messengers and servants of God’s message of truth and conversion for the whole world, that all who still dwell in the darkness may abandon their sins and be welcomed back into the light.

And what is important for us all to take note is that, if we walk in this path, that is as the faithful servants of our Lord, preaching and proclaiming His truth to the whole world, then our path will not be easy. There will be staunch opposition and rejection from the world and from those to whom we have gone to preach the message of our Lord. There will also be ridicule and persecution of the faithful, that is all of us.

There are many people who still live in the darkness of the world and remain in the state of sin. Some of them will hearken and listen to the word of God, if someone is to bring these words to them. Just like the Apostles in the past, as exemplified by the examples of St. Paul who preached in many cities and places, that his message of the truth of Christ was heard far and wide, and many people turned towards the Lord.

A people who lived in the darkness had seen a great light, and this was the prophecy of the prophets who foretold of the coming of the great Messiah who would liberate His people and bring them into wholesome new life. Christ is this light that shines upon the darkness and reveal to us the truth of God, the truth about ourselves and what we can do to free ourselves from the clutches of darkness.

And He had tasked His Apostles and other disciples with the command to continue His works of revealing to the nations and all of His wayward sheep, the people of God wandering in sin and darkness, the truth which would dispel all the lies of Satan and unveil the wickedness of all of our sins. The purpose of this is so that we may stop sinning and doing wicked things before the Lord, and thus condemning ourselves to eternal suffering of hell.

God loves us so much that although we are sinners, and often unrepentant and rebellious, but He was willing to show His enduring and everlasting love, which He showed through Jesus Christ. God loves us all, and He wants to show His love and mercy, forgiving us from our sins and trespasses against Him. Yet, He also hates and despises each of our sins at the same time. Thus, it was in His desire to reveal to us this fact, so that we may be awakened from our indecision and slumber, into a new life where we actively seek God’s mercy and forgiveness.

It is through us all, we who have been baptised and part of the whole unity of the Church of God, that God is exercising His good works in this world. But the world itself resists, and all the forces aligned with Satan and all evils also resist this revelation. For in this revelation comes to light the ugly nature of sin and wickedness in the world and Satan, and they resent it.

That is why there will be difficulties and great challenges for us all even as walk in this way of faith. It is because of this resentment and opposition, for the world and Satan his master want to keep as many souls condemned and in state of rebellion against God as possible. But God will be with us, and we truly have no need to fear. Satan and his forces can only harm our physical body, but not harm our soul, for our soul belong to God alone.

What we are doing in the Name of the Lord in fact dispel those lies and darkness, helping many of our brethren who are lost and not knowing their way in life, so that they may now find their way to God through actions and deeds, as well as through sincere and devout prayer.

Therefore, we are now called to give our best and to do our best in our respective lives, that we may be ever more faithful and devoted servant of our Lord, through our faithful words, actions and deeds. Let us all show this love for God to our brethren, and by showing how we live a faithful and good Christian life, caring for one another in need, so that all who sees us will come to believe in what we believe, and therefore have the gate to salvation opened for them.

May Almighty God be with us always, that we may be ever more confident and dedicated, to be preachers and proclaimers of His Good News among the nations, bringing salvation closer to ever more souls, and help our brethren to return to our Lord, that we may worship Him together as one people, freed from the bonds of sin and the darkness of this world. God bless us all. Amen.