HOMILY FOR 5TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A

 HOMILY FOR 5 FEBRUARY 2023 5TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A

Isaiah 58: 7-10; Psalm 112: 4-5, 6-7, 8-9; 1 Corinthians 2: 1-5; Matthew 5: 13-16

I AM THE SALT OF THE WORLD AND LIGHT OF THE WORLD

I pray for you: May you continue to be a source of the enhancement in the life of other people, by bringing light into their darkness and providing a sense of hope in them. AMEN

Life can be dull and lack excitement at times. It can be downright oppressive at other times. What helps us keep going is by having something which or someone who brings a bit of encouragement and hope to us. We can begin to see more clearly and experience some of the Goodness which is always present, but that Goodness needs to be brought out more. God is always with us, but we often fail to see and taste the Goodness of the Lord Jesus Christ. We need others to shine some light on our situation and bring out the flavor of that which is good in us and in our situation. We also need to be the source of enlightenment and enhancement in the bland and/or dark lives of those around us. We need to help them focus on the good that is there. This is our responsibility as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.​​​

It can be said that the theme of light shines through our readings today. The emphasis is not exclusively or even primarily on Jesus Christ as the Light of the world, but on our call to be light to the world.

The First Reading of today takes place as the exiles from the Babylonian captivity return to Jerusalem and their homeland. They once again start to worship at the place of the Temple and perform their ancient rituals and practices. They are disappointed that performing their various ceremonies and practices of fasting has not brought a favorable response from God. God speaks through the prophet saying that rituals and religious practices are not what God wants. God desires that they reach out to the poor and outcasts (the Anawim) and meet their needs by feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked. This is what will bring light (favor) upon them.  

The Responsorial Psalm picks up the theme of the light flowing from the good deeds of the just.  Those who are gracious and merciful will receive the light from God because they give to the poor.

In the Second Reading, Paul does not use the imagery of light, but speaks about living a different life, a life that the world says is nonsense. Instead of speaking eloquently and using words which impress and astound his audience, Paul speaks of the crucified Lord Jesus Christ. Paul focuses not on the persuasive force of argumentation, but on the power of God as manifested in the Lord Jesus Christ and His serving the poor and outcasts and ultimately laying down His life.

In the Gospel today, Jesus Christ challenges His disciples, his disciplined learners, which include us, to live out our lives as salt for the earth and light for the world. Salt is used for preserving that which is good. It also enhances the flavor of food. In the course of history salt also is used in healing. The followers of Jesus Christ are to preserve the goodness of other individuals by enriching them, especially when they are experiencing rough times. Being salt for the world also means enhancing the living conditions of the downtrodden, the rejected, the abandoned, the poor widows and the poor Orphans; generally, the people we call the Anawim. We are called to enhance the conditions of the anawin and restore flavor to their lives which have gone flat. As salt is used in healing, so we Christians who are called  to be salt of the earth should help in the healing of those who are suffering from physical, financial, emotional, or spiritual illness. Jesus Christ goes on to say if the salt loses its effectiveness and does not preserve, enhance flavor, and heal, then the salt is to be thrown out and stomped on. This is a scary thought for those of us who are not acting as salt for the world.

Jesus then proceeds to tell His disciples that they are light to the world. As light, the followers of Jesus are to cast out the darkness being experienced by people who are struggling with life. When people are disenfranchised and on the outskirts of society, they experience darkness. The storms of life also prevent people from experiencing the light of hope and happiness. These are the people on whom the disciples of Jesus Christ need to shine light upon.  

Dear Sisters and Brothers, the readings of today present a challenge before us today, to make a difference in the life of other people. We are to tend to those who are facing rough times. It means we need to get involved in helping the less fortunate. We should ask ourselves this question always: Who are the people in darkness in our lives who need us to be their light? We can become overwhelmed when we think about all the people who are suffering physically, financially, emotionally, and spiritually. We may wonder how we can reach out to all of them. We also may think that many of those who claim to be downtrodden and rejected are just being lazy or putting up an act. This may lead us to be cautious, and even cynical, in our being generous to the person on the corner holding up a sign asking for money. Yet, the readings make it clear that we are salt for the world, light to others. If we pick out one person or one organization to whom we can be salt and light, then we can make a conscious effort to help those, knowing they cannot pay us back. One flicker of light will lead to a little less darkness. And as we begin to share the light, we will experience more light and more energy to reach out even more.

It is a thing of joy that many people throughout the world have responded to shed light on those in darkness. The outpouring of loving concern for the victims of fires, floods, snow storms, the pandemic, and poverty are just a few examples.   

Dearly beloved in Christ Jesus, each of us must find a way to be salt and light. Yes!!! Each of us must see how we can make a difference in the life of at least one other person. Surely, I tell you, if we do, the flavor of life will be enhanced, the darkness of evil will be overcome by light. This is what God wants. We are called to action. We cannot just be impressed by eloquent words. Our God has become one with us in Christ Jesus, the One who was crucified. This reaching out in the name of Jesus Christ is where the power of God will be manifested. And this is what we who call ourselves disciples of Jesus Christ must do. We must imitate our Master and Teacher who gave totally of Himself so that people would experience the loving presence of God which enhances and preserves life and enlightens the darkness in life.

MEDITATION: How have I been salt to others, preserving that which is good in their lives, enhancing their lives, and providing healing?  In what ways have I helped to shed light on those who are experiencing darkness in their lives? What further can I do to bring the goodness of the Lord Jesus to someone today?  This week?

PRAYER Lord God, we beg you to empower us to move out of our complacency into action on behalf of those who need our help the most. And may our actions of goodness give You praise and glory and honor and draw others to a closer relationship with You. Through the same Christ Jesus our Lord. AMEN 

O DIVINE WORD WHO TOOK FLESH FOR HUMAN SAKE, REDEEM US IN OUR SITUATION

© Rev. Fr. Utazi Prince Marie Benignus