Rev. Fr Stevenson Olowolagba Delivers Spirit-Filled Homily on Christ as the Subject and Author of the Gospel
Rev. Fr Stevenson Olowolagba, a respected Catholic priest of the Osogbo Catholic Diocese and the Parish Priest of St. Dominic Catholic Church, Ifewara, Osun State, has delivered a deeply theological and spiritually enriching Sunday homily to mark the 4th Sunday of Advent, Year A, urging Christians to recognise Jesus Christ as both the Subject and the Author of the Gospel.
Akahi News gathered that the homily, delivered during the Sunday Mass, drew from the readings of Isaiah 7:10–14, Romans 1:1–7, and Matthew 1:18–24, with Rev. Fr Stevenson Olowolagba offering a rich blend of biblical history, doctrinal teaching, and practical Christian guidance as the Church prepares for the celebration of Christmas.
Peaceful Opening and Advent Reflection
Opening his homily, Rev. Fr Stevenson Olowolagba greeted the congregation warmly, saying, “Peace of the Lord be with you all, beloved brethren in Christ the Lord.” He reminded the faithful that Advent is a sacred season of hope, expectation, and spiritual readiness for the coming of Christ.
According to Akahi News, Rev. Fr Stevenson Olowolagba emphasised that Advent is not merely a countdown to Christmas but a profound invitation to rediscover God’s saving plan in history and in the present lives of believers.
Isaiah’s Prophecy and Its Historical Context
Reflecting on the first reading, Rev. Fr Stevenson Olowolagba explained that the prophecy of Isaiah originally referred to the birth of Hezekiah, who succeeded his father on the throne of Judah around 734 BC. He noted that the prophecy addressed a turbulent political period when the land faced threats from hostile kings.
Rev. Fr Stevenson Olowolagba pointed out that by 721 BC, the Northern Kingdom of Israel was destroyed, with ten tribes taken into exile and effectively disappearing from history. This, he explained, represented the primary fulfilment of Isaiah’s prophecy.
However, as Akahi News learnt, Rev. Fr Stevenson Olowolagba stressed that biblical prophecy often carries a fuller sense beyond its immediate historical meaning.
Messianic Fulfilment in Christ
According to Rev. Fr Stevenson Olowolagba, the prophecy of Isaiah ultimately finds its complete fulfilment in Jesus Christ. He linked the passage to the tradition of royal messianism, earlier expressed in 2 Samuel 7:12–16 and later developed in Isaiah 9:1–6 and other prophetic writings.
Drawing attention to the Gospel of Matthew, Rev. Fr Stevenson Olowolagba explained that the evangelist deliberately quoted the Greek text of Isaiah to proclaim Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah.
“Jesus is our Emmanuel,” Rev. Fr Stevenson Olowolagba affirmed, “the living sign that God will never abandon His people.”
As reported by Akahi News, he described Christ as God’s enduring presence among humanity, fulfilling the deepest hopes of Israel and the world.
Christ: Subject and Author of the Gospel
Turning to the second reading from Romans, Rev. Fr Stevenson Olowolagba reflected on the mission of Saint Paul, who was set apart to proclaim the Gospel of God.
He explained that this Gospel is not merely a message about Christ but a message from Christ and through Christ.
Rev. Fr Stevenson Olowolagba declared that Jesus Christ is both the Subject and the Author of the Gospel, stressing that:
- The Gospel concerns the Son of God, Jesus Christ our Lord
- By Him and through Him, the Gospel is created and proclaimed
- Jesus Himself is the embodiment of the Good News of God
According to Akahi News, Rev. Fr Stevenson Olowolagba highlighted two central truths of the Gospel:
first, that the Son of God became man (John 1:14), and second, that Jesus Christ remains fully divine as the Son of God.
Holiness, Resurrection, and Victory Over Death
Rev. Fr Stevenson Olowolagba further explained that the Spirit of holiness dwelt fully in Jesus Christ. He described Christ as the perfect embodiment of purity, morality, justice, and holiness.
He taught that the resurrection of Jesus Christ stands as the ultimate proof of His divine nature.
“Death could not hold Him,” Rev. Fr Stevenson Olowolagba said, noting that Christ’s victory over death revealed the perfection of the Spirit of holiness within Him.
Akahi News learnt that this reflection encouraged believers to live lives rooted in holiness, inspired by the risen Christ.
Lessons from Joseph and Mary on Marriage
Applying the Gospel message to everyday Christian life, Rev. Fr Stevenson Olowolagba reflected on the character of Saint Joseph, whom Scripture describes as a just man, and Mary, a virtuous woman.
He cautioned believers against being unequally yoked, especially in marriage, stressing that shared faith and values are essential for a stable and God-centred union.
Rev. Fr Stevenson Olowolagba advised the faithful to exercise wisdom and patience when making decisions about marriage.
“There is real wisdom in taking time to confirm one’s decision to marry,” he noted, adding that it is better to delay and be sure than to rush and regret.
Final Blessing as Christmas Approaches
As the homily drew to a close, Rev. Fr Stevenson Olowolagba prayed for the congregation as they step into a new week and approach the joy of Christmas.
According to Akahi News, he invoked God’s blessings upon the faithful, asking that they be filled with the peace, joy, and hope of the Yuletide season.
He concluded with a message of peace and goodwill, urging Christians to welcome Christ anew into their hearts and homes.
By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
Joseph Iyaji is a journalist, educator, and founder of Akahi G. International, Akahi Tutors, and Akahi News. Read more about him here.
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4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT SEASON YEAR. A
Readings: 1st Isaiah 7:10-14 2nd Rm 1:1-7 Gospel Math 1:18-24
Theme: Christ is both the Subject and Author of the Gospel .
Reflection: Peace of the Lord be with you all, beloved brethren in Christ the Lord. Isaiah prophecy is in reference to the birth of Hezekiah who succeeded to his father’s throne even though his mother will have another child before she reaches the age of puberty before the land of two Kings will be destroyed. This was around 734BC and Precisely in 721, the Northern Kingdom of Israel was destroyed and ten tribes of the North were taken into exile and disappeared. This was the primary prophecy of course, the prophecy has a Fuller Sense in addition to the primary meaning : it is an expression of the royal messianism already out heard by the North in 2 Sam 7:12-16 and later to be developed in Isaiah 9:1-6 and other prophets. And in Mathew, quotes the Greek text to proclaim that Jesus is the fulfillment of these messianic hopes. He is our Emmanuel – the living sign that God will never abandon us (Mt 1:23). Paul WA set apart to proclaim the Gospel of God : This Gospel concerns “The son of God, Jesus Christ, our Lord. He is both the Subject and Author of the Gospel. By Him, and through Him, the Gospel is created and proclaimed ! He brings Good news of God to man. He is the embodiment of the good news of God Himself. This Gospel concerns two glorious truth: that God’s son become man (Jn 1:14). It also proclaim the divine nature of Jesus Christ as the son of God. The spirit of holiness that dwelt in Him. He was the very embodiment of holiness, of purity and morality and justice. The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead shows that He holds and possessed the perfect spirit of holiness. Death couldn’t holds Him like others. Believer are not to be unequally yoked together. Joseph was a just man : Mary was a virtuous woman. Both are godly. Believer should be careful in selecting their companions for marriage. There is real wisdom in taking time to confirm one’s decision to marry . It is much better to delay and be sure then to rush and be sorry ! Beloved brethren in Christ Jesus, as you step out this new week being ucher into Christmas, may you be filled with joy of the Yelutide. Peace be with you all.
