Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, YR. A

Homily 1

 Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB

You are the light of the world.

One of the biggest and oldest visible structures in the modern era, stands tall and attracts thousands, if not millions yearly, is the STATUE OF LIBERTY. The name speaks history, volumes of books written, recurring and iconic symbol in films. It is of the 19^th Century and still to this very present, her name and what she represents precedes her. From the pedestal up, I would like us to envision the flaming torch held majestically on her right hand. Hey, the TORCH. Think about it for a split of a second. It speaks its tell. And that should be you!

When I say ‘you,’ I mean all of us. YOU is quite inspired by the Ubuntu philosophy; so I am as quite called upon to shine bright yet quietly. You and I are to be the torch standing high, not for ourselves, not for Fr. Rector, house dean (well, lucky me, the two are one person), not for your bishop, Abbot or Superior-General; but for CHRIST.

Well, you may ask how? How can I even be? God reveals that true light is not produced by word or status. But by concrete mercy, humble faith, and visible goodness rooted in Christ. As the first reading is even stating what can be done. Share your bread with the hungry shelter the oppressed and the homeless, cloth the naked, and when you see them (and we do not run short of that) and, listen to this, “do not turn your back on your own.” This is why the psalm can say that the just are a light in darkness, because they are gracious, steadfast, and generous to the poor. You and I are adopted to be the God’s nation through baptism. Through baptism, we were not only welcomed into God’s family. We were placed on the lampstand of the world. Christ brought us in. We are one family made of&for the same father. We share the same sacraments. And I hope that we are journeying towards the same final home.

Therefore, my family in Christ, let us confront the idea that faith is private, abstract, or optional. Belief must take flesh in visible goodness. Be the light, be the salt, be that city on the mountain and do the acts of mercy. We have been taught in catechesis as kids or in OCIA. We have read and re-read them too. The only thing we are remaining with is to actually transcend the mere words. Keep aside your personal feelings towards the deeds of mercy. Drop the supermarket mentality of pick and choose what I want for now and what is for later. When it comes to brightening the other person’s life and soul, let there be no inconveniences, fatigue mentality or preference. This calls for courage so as to do them without fear or shame. Remember that you do not need to be armed with St Augustine or even your favorite philosopher’s words; but rather learn and thereby act on the Catholic teachings you receive from them. The old lady or grandpa might not need to hear direct quotation from them but will rather remember Christ’s touch through your good deeds. For my case, I do not need to quote Jean Paul Sartre’s philosophy of Freedom-Choice-Responsibility. Aha! maybe I should quote St. Francis of Assisi… Just a little bit here and there like “Preach the gospel at all times; if necessary, use words.” Well, we are still looking for the owner of those words since it is debatable if they were St. Francis’. What we are reminding ourselves of today brothers and sisters is not foreign nor incomprehensible. Do the deeds! Do the acts of mercy! Please do not get tired of hearing these words but rather consume them and after receiving Christ today in the Holy Eucharist, let them enflame you with the desire to shine brightly for the other.

For sure, God does not ask for your brilliance, weakness, fear and trembling, polished speeches nor spiritual performance, but rather faithfulness. Faithfulness to live and glow publicly, yet humbly that others see; as the disciples did, so as God’s light may reach others through them. They did spread the faith fearlessly. The faith they were having was not lived in the comfort of their rooms but in the service until death. Be courageous in doing good or at least try.

Finally, if the apostles did it in Christ’s name, so can you as today’s disciple. The apostles did not live the faith in locked rooms. They lived it in service, even unto death. Faith spread because it was seen. Do not step back when the call becomes costly. So, stand tall in mercy. Shine quietly. Let your small torch burn where you are. You are the light of the world. Do not hide the light Christ has placed in you. And attract all towards Christ. Therefore, I call upon thee, brethren, enlighten the world; not just to freedom and liberty, as the Statue of Liberty stands for; but with these deed that carry light. Let them illumine the world wherever you are. And by this, we will be a step closer to be Christ-like. That is our choice.

Z-library

https://z-library.ec/ 

UNRIPE ROTTEN FRUITS

Modernization was foretold to be the key to the furtherance of the universe and all it entails, with a preference for human beings in particular of course. It is always delightful to meet new people and to discover more about oneself through others, and the discoveries as well. The concept of human beings in particular strikes to be indeed of the essence. The interrelation between human beings has coordinated many issues concerning human beings and their lives. This very upgrading process has discovered human aspects that might have never been thought of before; to some extent, one can say that they are mysterious. The mystery and complexity of human beings are quite astonishing. For over centuries, human beings have been surprisingly not ‘consistent’ in whatever they do. The aspect of civilization bridges the whole of human creation. Nevertheless, there is an unseen breach that is widening on the other end. In some instances, a being can be outstanding and promising, on the other hand, the same very being can be the actual opposite of the expected reaction. In other terms, a human being can either rationally or irrationally react to an instance since the relativity of the occasion is observed.
Human beings meet different versions of life experiences, and the outcome keeps on surprising every soul. Famously, considering one’s location on the globe, people are more private compared to past years. Not long ago, in Africa, for example, unity in society was considered the most valuable thing, and the relations among community members were the priority. However, these days, concrete walls and barbed-wire fences have been raised and installed all around compounds and people are less and less in contact with each other. Then, people could meet often in community gatherings, but that custom has gradually faded to the extent that neighbors do not know who lives next door or compound. The distance has graduated to an extent that; people do not even know the landlords of the houses they live in since they deal with an agent, who then deals with the bank which handles the finances of the land/house owner.
The gradual careless distant inhabitation of different locations on this earth has gradually resulted in the inconsideration of the environment around. It was not long ago predicted that global warming and other environmental consequences due to inconsiderable actions done to the mother-earth with no sight of her health care. People have not heeded any appeal made by environmental advocates and many concerned parties with various aliases all around the globe. And we are all vividly experiencing ‘the fruits of our labor.’ However, how do we make it past this whole threat, ensure and above all secure the future generations' whole healthy earth? How do we become better human beings and create more and not destroy instead? How do we drop the egoism we present against everything else around us? Do we have a plan for a better tomorrow? Do we see a light at the end of the tunnel? I bet it is all dark. Soon, we will be having hell on earth, and we will have nothing to change that.

Here I am Lord

Life is full of choices which one makes now and then as time runs, and these choices need to be scrutinized. Among all the available choices in the world, one needs to choose the best and morally based choice. We may ask ourselves, how do we determine good choices from bad ones? J-P Sartre, a French Existentialist, reminds us to be mindful of our choices since by making a choice, we choose for others too. We are all invited to make good choices in life. We get to make these choices by discerning. The necessity of discernment in life is inevitable. Everyday activities is a requirement in all spheres; both spiritual and worldly aspects.

In the book of Samuel, we get to see a young man, Samuel, in a position to answer God's call. The young Samuel, under the guidance of Eli, hears God's voice and listened to it. The choice of listening helped Samuel to receive the message God intended to reach him and all the people. Listening is quite different from hearing. Hearing can be said to be involuntary but listening is a strictly voluntary choice which one makes. We can be 'Samuel' of today to be keen and listen to God's message. God's call and under the guidance of vast moral instructions, we can be good messengers of God's message.

Openness and readiness to God's invitation and message are fundamental attributes. Listening to God's invitation considers one's openness also receive the message and the readiness to work dully on it. Just like Samuel, God called him and gave him the message which he openly received; nonetheless, it was upon his readiness to act accordingly. It is an invitation to each of us to be always ready and open to God's call and message.

Humility is a necessity too. One needs to acknowledge to be a servant of the Lord. It is upon the acknowledgement of being a servant, one sees the importance of being humble. With all one's capabilities on this earth, without humility, things do not always go right. Putting aside the principle of double-effect as it is expressed in Philosophical Anthropology, we can concur with the expression, "the means justify the ends". Whatever we do in the view of achieving a certain goal, the possible way(s) one may use, should be justifiable and morally upright. One cannot claim to preach God's message or have heard and listened to God's call, yet there is no correspondence to the ultimate goal, God's mission.

It is an invitation to all of us today to act in ways pleasing to Whom we are following; as we all humbly listen to God's call and be ready to do His mission with an open heart.

"Speak Lord, your servant is listening", 1 Sam. 3:9