GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 5TH FEBRUARY 2017
FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
FIRST READING: Isaiah 58:7-10
PSALM: Psalm 112:4-9
SECOND READING: 1Corinthians 2:1-5
GOSPEL: Matthew 5:13-16
THEME: MAKE YOUR PRESENCE FELT
In our world today, it is becoming evidently clear that there are many Christians by name but few at heart. For many, the Christian faith can be likened to putting on cosmetics. It is simply for convenience sake – Christians in the morning but atheists in the evening.
It is the nature of salt and light to have an impact wherever they are found. A pinch of salt changes the taste of a bowl of soup and a glowing lighted candle brings radiance to a dark room.
Jesus uses salt and light as metaphors to illustrate the effect Christians ought to have on the world. He says, “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light for the world” (Mt. 5:13-14). By this statement, Jesus makes it clear that Christians have what it takes to influence the world. The history of humanity corroborates this assertion when we think of the fact that it took a handful of Christians to make Christianity a “universal” (katholikos) way of life in what was a “pagan” Roman empire.
Unfortunately, nations, cities and towns which were once upon a time Christian by definition are gradually losing their sway because the flavour of the salt of Christians in those places today has diminished and their light is dimming. I hope I do not step on anyone’s toes here but even if I do, kindly indulge me for a moment. The 2015 referendum in “Catholic” Ireland where over 62% of the population voted in favour of legalizing same-sex marriage is an indictment on Christians who are called upon to be salt and light there. The pace at which corruption has plagued almost every institution in Ghana is an indictment on Christians who, per the 2010 census, are over 70% of the population. Corruption has reared its ugly head even in churches and the proclamation of the Gospel has become a way of making money and a panacea for economic woes. The subtle move to legalise abortion in many developing countries and make it an alternative family planning method is an indictment on Christians who are watching unconcerned.
Jesus warns that if we lose our taste as Christians, we will no longer be good for anything, but thrown out and trampled underfoot (Mat 5:13). The time to stand tall in our faith and let our presence be felt is now. Now is the time to let our light shine in our marriages and families, in our vocations as priests and religious, among our friends, at our workplaces and in the shopping malls. “A city built on a hill cannot be hidden” (Mat 5:14).
The First Reading offers some practical examples by which we can let our Christianity count in this passing world – “Share your bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless; clothe the naked when you see them, and do not turn your back on your own… If you do away with the yoke, the clenched fist and speaking wickedness, if you deprive yourself for the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, your light will rise in the darkness, and your darkest hour will be like noon” (Is. 58:7, 8-10).
Christians are not spectators, they are players. We are not reserved players but active players; we are not just active players, we score important goals and make a difference.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I give you my hands, legs, voice and the entirety of my being. Let your presence be felt anew in our generation and thy Kingdom come. Amen
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen).