Homily Fifth
Sunday of Ordinary Time Year A: Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo
·
Isa 58: 7-10;· Ps 112:4—9;
· 1 Cor 2:1-5
· Matt 5:13-16
Christ's Light Shall Rise For You In Darkness!
The importance
of light and precautions against darkness in our daily lives cannot be over
emphasized. We use light for cooking, reading, studying, driving, worshiping
and brightening up the darkness of our cities, towns, rooms, streets, plazas
and environments. Light is also needed
by plants and crops as they experience photosynthesis. The list goes on!! In
worship, spirituality, scriptures and sacraments, Christ, God’s incarnate and
his values is this “Light” of the world (John 8:12), whom we are invited to
worship and imitate exemplarily, in our charity and works of mercy. On the other
hand, darkness represents anti-Christ’s values, evils and misfortunes we see,
read about, hear of, or experience in today’s world. Yet the light of Christ triumphs over the darkness of this world!
Today’s Gospel
of light is vital for our spiritual growth. This truth spans from one generation
to another. The generation of Third Isaiah, the returnees from Persian exile
are reminded in the first reading by the prophets Isaiah of the need to reject every
form of darkness of false accusation and malicious speeches against fellow
community member. What matters or brightens the community spiritually,
socially, economically and religiously, the prophet stresses, include the
sharing of ones’ bread with the hungry, sheltering the homeless and clothing
the naked, as the rebuild and worship at they rebuilt temple. These corporal works of mercy
also makes the just person of today’s Psalm 112 an agent of light in any given
form of darkness. How many of us today in this generation are daily prepared to
continue to be that just man, that just woman, that upright person, that source
of light in the darkness of our present world as we worship and share our bread with our neighbors?
Be it
at worship, study, work, administration, in leadership and family care, we are
called to be and participate actively in that listening and doing audience of the
disciples whom Jesus addresses in today’s Gospel, saying “You are the salt of
the earth… you are the light of the world….your light must shine before others
that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father” (Matt
5:13-16).
For Paul
this shining light comes mysteriously to the quarrelling and boasting
Corinthian Community of his generation in form of the mixtures of worship and
charity, humility and mercy, spirit and power. To them, St. Paul writes, “When
I came to you brothers and sisters, proclaiming the mystery of God. For I
resolved to know nothing … except Jesus Christ crucified… I did not come with
sublimity of words or of wisdom... I came to you in weakness and fear and
trembling” (1 Cor 2:1-5).
Like the generation
who heed to Paul’s Letter, sometimes fear of the Lord, trembling and humility
could assist us appreciate the place of charitable acts within and outside our
worship contexts. Prayers, fear of the Lord and humility, could assist us appreciate
the Gospel of joy of Pope Francis in promoting economic equality in our
villages, towns and community, by challenging every forms of the darkness, especially the
darkness of the exclusion of the poor in the socio-political and economic
fabrics of our society.
This is how
we ourselves would become the light of the world and the salt of the earth, by
not only fasting and worshiping God in his terms, but by also loosening the
bonds of injustice. By undoing the thongs of the yoke. By letting the oppressed
go free; by promoting peace not war. Rejecting terrorism and racism; by sharing
our bread with the hungry. By bringing the homeless into our homes. By
forgiving those who may have offended us. By seeking the common good not
ourselves. By holding the door of an elevator for those seniors and for those elderly people. By
visiting the sick and home bounds. By clothing the naked and welcoming
everyone, no matter their language, looks, color, culture, gender and age. In sum, as the Prophet Isaiah rightly puts it, if we keep doing all these good works, then, the Light of Christ will rise for us, will shine in our communities, families, homes, for our friends and nations in any given threats of darkness!
Reflection
Questions:
1.
What are your priorities during worship?
2.
In the light of today’s scripture what would you identify as darkness in
your faith communities?
3.
In what ways are you the source of light and salt of the earth to your
faith communities?
