HOMILY FOR THE FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A
Isaiah 58:7-10/ Psalm 112/1Corinthians 2:1-5/ Matthew 5:13-16
AGORSOR Aaron Agbeshie
THEME: Be true witnesses
Is this generation a lost venture? Is there any hope for our generation in the midst of the moral decadence we see all around us? Do Christians still stand the chance of imparting the right values to our generation? Can we provide the leadership that our society needs? Today’s readings challenge us to be real witnesses to our faith. It is only this which can offer hope to our generation. We, therefore, reflect on how our inability to be true witnesses of the Gospel has brought about the decadence we are experiencing in all sectors of our world today. However, there is hope for our generation because unlike salt and light that are perishable, we are the true salt and light that Jesus relies on today.
The Gospel reading of today challenges every Christian to be the light of the world and salt of the earth. No matter how dark a place is, a strike of a match will dispel that darkness. This means that we do not need a big light to dispel darkness. No matter how evil exists in the world, we in the minority can represent that strike of matches to dispel the darkness of sin and evil.
We are called to be that light and salt in our families, work places, community and the like to dispel the darkness of injustice, corruption, greed and so on in our society. “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt loses its saltiness how can it be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled underfoot” (Matthew 5:13). The point Matthew stresses is how useless we become when we fail to positively affect our society with Christ. The same is true for being the light of the world.
The words of Pope John Paul II comes alive when he once said “Christianity is not an opinion or words, it is Christ.” Indeed, the solution to the yearnings or problems of humanity is Christ. It is we who are called to be that light and salt that will give meaning to human existence. Do not say that everybody is doing the bad thing and so the situation is hopeless. Be that light the offers hope to the deepest darkness.
Indeed, our world is in dire need of witnesses and not teachers. If they are teachers, then they themselves must be witnesses. We have too many teachers in our world today who are not witnessing. How do we witness.
The first reading of today gives us practical ways by which we are called to witness. “ Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your homes; when you see the naked, to cover them and not to hide yourself from your own kin” ( Isaiah 58:7). To be the light of the world and the salt of the earth demands of us Love of God and love of neighbor. We are called to witness to those who are vulnerable and susceptible. We cannot claim to be Christians and fail our family responsibilities. We are called to be that light and salt in our families.
Unlike real salt and real light which are dead, material things, we are living salt and living light. We can change. We can regain our flavour and we can rekindle our light. This is the hope we have. So you see there is no hopeless situation at all when it comes to witnessing. It does not matter how our past has been like. Indeed, we are a present to this generation.
That is why we should all take consolation in the second reading. Paul acknowledges that to be real witnesses is by the grace of God. He is, therefore, humbled by this experience. He reminds that to be true witnesses of Jesus, we must acknowledge Jesus as the owner of the harvest. Paul says “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1Corinthians 2:2). Paul is aware of the fact that he is like a fisherman in the work of witnessing. He is just to cast the net wide not knowing the type of fish he will catch. He recognizes that the harvest master will do his work.
Like Paul, we too must recognize that we are only instruments in the work of witnessing. It is our availability and submission to God that matters. Interestingly, when we submit to his will, He says “Then you shall call and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help and he will say, here I am” (Isaiah 58:9). It is like saying that true witnessing summons God and He responds swiftly to our request.
In sum, the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi is still relevant today “Lord make me an instrument of your peace… where there is darkness, light…” This is my deepest wish for every Catholic community: that we may rediscover the things that make us salt for the world and that we may regain our brightness as Catholics.