I want to dedicate my homily on this First Sunday of Advent to a dear friend, Fr. Emmanuel Chibuzor Anamanaeze (RIP) (aka Anams). Fr. Emmanuel was my seminarian in 2013. He was a hard soccer player until his death, which was one of the strong reasons why we shared a strong connection. My staff at the time still remembered the major fracture I had during one of our soccer games. Emma (Anams) accidentally hit me on the knees, and I was on crutches for about two months. But that was fun. Hearing about Fr. Emmanuel’s death on November 12 was as shocking to me as it was to most of our Owerri priests. Those who knew such a vibrant and intelligent priest loved him. Let’s consider the Advent message in this homily from the following:
Emmanuel’s death reinforces the message of hope during Advent.
His death echoes the need to prepare as emphasized during this season.
Do not take anything for granted, especially appreciating friends and building bridges with those who care about you.
To the first point, Advent offers a special opportunity to reflect more deeply on God’s grace. How does grace inspire our relationship with God and with one another? The gospels of Advent will tell us severally, “The kingdom is near.” The kingdom makes God’s grace present in our souls. It invites us to a life of holiness. Cardinal O’Connor once shared the words of his confessor, “Now is a moment of grace. Something big is about to happen; something very big. And it’s going to happen to you. We are about to begin Advent. God has become incarnate in the human condition, for you, personally for you. You have reasons for new and wonderful hope.”
Many of us who knew Fr. Emmanuel are still in shock at his death. Many questions have come up, ranging from physical health conditions to emotional self-care and mental health-related issues. Various social media platforms have engaged in conversations arising from such a sudden death. When a young, healthy-looking man collapses right after playing soccer, there are bound to be speculations and concerns. Is it cardiac-related, blood pressure-related, or anything else? How about an autopsy to ascertain the exact pathology and so forth? Those make sense within the realm of human existence along the lines of preventive medicines.
However, the bigger picture of reality opens itself beyond our physical being. We are meant for eternity. Our true Advent begins the moment we realize the words of Cardinal O’Connor’s confessor, “Now is a moment of grace. Something big is about to happen; something very big. And it’s going to happen to you.” Something big has happened for Emmanuel, much bigger than meets the human eyes. Although a sudden exit, his hope has been fully actualized. His experience of the Parousia has begun.
In the gospel, Jesus warns his disciples about the impending disaster using harsh imagery, “the moon and the stars, and on the earth, nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the seas and the waves.” Jesus warns that people would die of fright in anticipation. Scary image, right? These might be exaggerated and could appear metaphorical, but Jesus speaks about the end of times. Concerning Emmanuel’s death, the first call I got from one of his friends was devastating. This caller was inconsolable and miserably torn by the death; wailed at the death of such a young man. Death can remind us of our end time and the need for readiness. Yet, Jesus reassures us to stand erect and raise our heads because our redemption is at hand. Emmanuel’s redemption is undoubtedly closer than we thought especially through the hope of resurrection.
St. Paul reminds us, “Brothers and sisters: May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all…” This sums up the message of this season and invites us to a personal reflection on the meaning of Advent. Let us make this season more fruitful by our love for one another in Christ Jesus. That way, we stay blameless and holy before God.
Again, let us not take anything for granted. Connecting with friends and those who care about you can be demanding but it is worth doing. When Christ says, “Beware that your hearts do not grow drowsy… from anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap,” he encourages us to live every moment in appreciation of those God has placed in our lives. For instance, I had longed to reunite with Fr. Emmanuel (Anams) and with some old friends. Although we stayed connected passively, I could not fully say that it was achieved. Did I know that Anams would be going this early? Could I have predicted that such a young man full of vigor and passion would be on the other side of life at this time?
At the beginning of this Advent season, Jesus says, “Stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.” The first is to stay connected with God. Keep praying. Keep reading God’s word in the scripture. Keep attending the sacraments. Keep loving the Blessed Mother. The second is to appreciate God’s love for the people around you. Keep staying in touch with family and friends. Keep forgiving. Keep doing things that motivate others. Every moment is a golden opportunity from God. Live it out to the full. Just as Fr. Emmanuel has gone to meet Him, so all of us would go. Remember, “Something big is about to happen; something very big. And it’s going to happen to you.” It is your Advent.
Readings: 1st- Jer. 33:14-16; 2nd- 1 Thes. 3:12-4:2; Gospel- Lk. 21:25-28, 34-36
Comentarios