Rev. Fr. Stevenson Olowolagba Delivers Powerful Final Sunday Homily of 2025 on the Holy Family

Rev. Fr. Stevenson Olowolagba on Sunday delivered a deeply reflective and spiritually stirring homily to mark the final Sunday of 2025, centring his message on the theme: “God Saves His Obedient Servant: Believers Must Wait Upon the Lord.”

The homily, delivered in the spirit of the Feast of the Holy Family, drew from the day’s liturgical readings — Ecclesiasticus 3:2–6, 12–14; Colossians 3:12–21; and Matthew 2:13–15, 19–23 — and called Christians to a renewed commitment to obedience, patience, and godly family life.

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Reverence for Parents and the Foundation of Faith

Opening his reflection, Rev. Fr. Olowolagba reminded the faithful that reverence for parents remains a cornerstone of Christian life, rooted in the commandments given through Moses.

He referenced the commandment to “honour your father and your mother” (Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16), noting that obedience within the family is the seedbed of obedience to God.

According to him, once a person accepts Christ, they enter a new life and identity — becoming God’s chosen and beloved people. Such believers, he stressed, must clothe themselves with virtues including compassion, mercy, humility, gentleness, patience, and forbearance, as taught in Galatians 5:22–23.

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Living a Christ-Centred Life

The cleric emphasised that Christian living is not merely moral behaviour but a transformation of the heart.

“A new life requires a new heart,” he said, explaining that true peace can only flow from a heart ruled by Christ. Drawing from Romans 5:6 and Deuteronomy 6:6, he urged believers to allow the Word of God to dwell richly within them, shaping their thoughts, actions, and relationships.

According to Akahi News, Fr. Olowolagba stressed that believers must consciously choose whether the peace of Christ reigns in their hearts, describing Christ as the only authentic source of lasting peace.

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Family Under Attack, Christ at the Centre

Addressing contemporary challenges, the priest lamented that every generation witnesses attacks on the institution of marriage and family life. He maintained that only families rooted in Christ can survive such pressures.

He reaffirmed biblical teachings on family roles, stating that wives are called to submit to their husbands in holiness, while husbands are equally commanded to love their wives with tenderness and without harshness.

“This mutual love and respect bring honour to both husband and wife,” he noted, adding that Christian family life must always reflect Christ’s love.

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Joseph’s Obedience and God’s Saving Grace

Drawing from the Gospel reading, Rev. Fr. Olowolagba reflected on the flight of the Holy Family into Egypt, describing it as a powerful example of divine guidance and obedience.

He explained that Joseph, though unaware of the impending danger, obeyed God without hesitation. Through this obedience, God provided safety, direction, and provision.

According to Akahi News, the priest reminded worshippers that God sees every threat, danger, and trial ahead of time and that believers can rest in His providence. Citing Matthew 19:29–31, he emphasised that God always delivers His obedient servants.

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A Call to Wait Upon the Lord

Concluding the homily, Rev. Fr. Olowolagba urged Christians to cultivate patience and trust, stressing that waiting upon the Lord is not passive but an act of faith rooted in obedience.

“As you step into the new week,” he prayed, “may the Holy Spirit assist you always to be obedient to the Lord.”

He ended with a blessing, invoking peace upon all the faithful and their families.

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Akahi News gathered that the homily left many worshippers deeply reflective, as it marked not only the celebration of the Holy Family but also a spiritual charge for believers heading into a new year.

Akahi News www.akahinews.org