By Juliana Uzoka

The Catholic Archbishop of Jos, Most Rev. Matthew Ishaya Audu, has urged the faithful to use the Christmas season as a time to overcome spiritual poverty expressed through selfishness and neglect of fraternal and communal living.

Archbishop Audu made the call during the Annual General Reunion (AGR) of the Legion of Mary, Regia, held at Our Lady of Fatima Cathedral, Jos. The annual gathering, celebrated on the Sunday preceding the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, honours the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose solemnity is marked on December 8.

In his homily, the Archbishop charged Christians to embrace renewed purpose through selfless giving and sincere self-examination in response to the call to serve God and neighbour.

The celebration, which coincided with Gaudete Sunday, a day of rejoicing in the Advent season, drew legionaries in large numbers from across the Archdiocese, cutting across age groups. The Legion of Mary remains one of the Church’s largest lay apostolic movements.

Archbishop Audu called on the faithful to cultivate inclusive attitudes and reach out to the less privileged, warning that dispositions such as envy, indifference, and exclusion hinder spiritual growth and true Christian joy.

Reflecting on the Gospel reading, he recalled the message of hope proclaimed by the Prophet Isaiah, noting that God’s promise of renewal finds fulfilment in Jesus Christ.

“Isaiah tells us that our God is coming. We are called to rejoice because Christ will soon be born for humanity,” the Archbishop said.

He explained that the prophet’s assurance of transformation—where deserts bloom and dry lands rejoice—signifies not only the renewal of the world but also the renewal of the human person.

According to him, the signs of the Messiah’s presence remain evident today, as Christ continues to heal and restore humanity.

“The blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is proclaimed to the poor,” he said.

Archbishop Audu emphasized that the Advent message challenges believers to acknowledge their own spiritual blindness, deafness, and lameness—manifested in indifference to others’ needs, refusal to listen, and unwillingness to offer comfort or assistance.

“There is something in each of us that needs healing,” he noted. “When the Lord is present, something always happens. He touches us, and we are healed.”

He urged the faithful to make deliberate efforts toward personal conversion as Christmas approaches, stressing that Christ’s coming is primarily spiritual.

“Jesus will not come physically this Christmas; He will come spiritually,” the Archbishop said. “The question is: is there room for Him in our hearts?”

He warned against prioritising material acquisition over spiritual preparation, noting that jealousy, envy, malice, and ridicule of others, especially the vulnerable, leave no room for Christ.

“If our preparation is wrong, we will not meet Jesus,” he cautioned.

The Archbishop further warned against indulging in sinful practices under the guise of Christmas celebration, reminding the faithful of John the Baptist’s call to repentance, justice, and contentment.

“You may lack material things, but if you prepare your heart, Jesus will come and stay there,” he said, adding that seeking God’s kingdom first brings lasting fulfilment.

Addressing legionaries in particular, Archbishop Audu called for consistency between devotion and conduct, noting that prayer must be reflected in daily life.

“We may pray the Rosary daily, yet refuse to forgive. That is a contradiction,” he observed.

He encouraged members to imitate the virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary; holiness, humility, and obedience; adding that true devotion is lived through love, forgiveness, and good works.

The event also featured a keynote address by Seminarian Emmanuel Agbo, who spoke on the theme “Charity in Action: Journeying Together, Caring and Giving.” Delivering his talk in both English and Hausa, Agbo highlighted charity as the giving of time, talent, and treasure, stressing that no one is too poor to give or too rich to receive.

He identified kindness, generosity, accountability, and care for others as essential attributes of charity, urging participants to share joyfully with those who have less during the Christmas season.

In his remarks, the Archdiocesan President of the Legion of Mary, Mr. Bob Manuel, thanked God for the success of the gathering and remembered deceased members. He called on legionaries to remain people of hope, in line with the Church’s call for the year.

“Hope does not disappoint,” he said, praying for abundance and perseverance amid hardship.

Also speaking, Rev. Sr. Patricia Nwankwo, USSN, encouraged members to imitate the virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary, noting that a life of holiness and purity leads to heaven. She underscored the importance of the reunion fostering unity, fellowship, and mutual support among members.

The gathering included a thanksgiving procession by legionaries, marking a year of devotion under the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.