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(26th Jan 2025) Homily for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

READ: (Isa 62: 1-5; 1Cor 12:4-11; Jn 2: 1-11)

REFLECT: Let us be loyal, united and loving to all…

Dear friends, we are in the third Sunday in Ordinary time. The liturgy of the word invites us to reflect on loyalty, unity and love of God and one another. We have heard the saying perhaps many times, “Laws are just a means and not an end in itself.” Yes, laws and legislation is not end itself but it also makes us realize what ways and means do we use in achieving the goals set and purpose we want to fulfill. Therefore, laws and legislation enables us in the society, state, church and the world are for a disciplined way of life. It helps us to organize well, function well and be systematic in all our undertakings. Today’s, liturgy of the word invites us for the same, enabling us to understand that God delights  in those who follow his laws,  of course it is not given in the readings as Laws but I would like to present them as laws of loyalty, unity and love. Therefore I would like to share with you three points of reflection.

1.      Loyalty:

We understand Loyalty is a quality or a virtue wherein we remain faithful, supportive, and become committed to someone or something, even during tough times. Perhaps, it’s about being trustworthy and reliable to people, who we encounter or associate in life for various reasons. Loyalty could well mean as well that we are there for a person or cause, no matter whatever happens. by the quality of loyalty we count on or people count on us to keep promises and we stand by them. It is a sign of valuing the relationship or connection and not betraying trust. Further, we continue to support at all times. Indeed, loyalty we expect and we wish to be present or exhibited in all areas of life, be it secular or religious. We expect each one to be loyal and  do not wish to be betrayed. Because, loyalty to one another will prove genuiness and sincere commitment for each other and the relationships that we hold.

Our loyalty to God is shown in following his commandments and that’s what we hear from the psalmist about God’s law, “blessed is the one who takes his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does,” (Psalm 1:2-3). Something similar, we find in the first reading of the day from Prophet Nehemiah. Ezra the priest brings before the assembly the laws and reads it for them. Moreover, explains to them and makes them understand the statutes and ordinances of God. A little more closer, we see towards the end of the first reading, the people are addressed that this day a holy day to the lord, no one shall mourn or weep but rejoice because the joy of the lord is our strength. Therefore our strength does not lie in our joy or others joy primarily rather the joys of God. How can we experience the joy of God or see the joy of God? It is by walking in the law of the Lord, following his commandments, living out laws of God without any grudges and complaints.

Yes, today we have the laws and legislation of the church. It is for freeing and not to burden ourselves as slaves or to be imprisoned like a prisoner in the prison. For we believe that church is headed by Christ and animated by the grace of the Holy Spirit, in and through the guidance and presence of God set us free from all bondages. So let us pray that laws and legislation in the society, state and world is not to be considered as burdensome rather a delight for a disciplined life and dedicated life to live in unity and freedom. As Pope Francis very beautifully speaks on the law of God that it makes us free from everything as  he says, “Let's not forget this: living the Law as an instrument of freedom, which helps me to be freer, which helps me not to be a slave to passions and sin.” Today we shall follow the laws of God, church and society not as a necessity or a forceful act rather let us practice them with love for God and for one another to show loyalty and love to one another in our world.

2.      Unity:

We often times hear this proverb, “united we stand divided we fall.”  Yes, united to God we stand firm and united to the world we fall. Therefore the work of unity in any area of life is our strength. United effort will always bring an unspeakable joy and happiness. Although, it might bring some confusions and hesitation initially, as we get along with each other to get a common idea for a single yet common goal. We all know that unity means being together and working as one. It’s when people come together with a shared purpose, goal, or understanding, keeping aside all differences to cooperate and support each other. It’s like being part of a team where everyone contributes and consents together for the common good.

Something similar concept for a common goal and for a common good is what we hear in the second reading from St. Paul’s First letter to Corinthians. St. Paul, having worked for God’s glory with a single-minded to devotion to God, very clearly spells that we are one body united in Christ. Just as the parts of the body connected to it and makes it complete, so also we, as members we are connected to the body of Christ, the head and cornerstone of the church. Yes, for without God we are nothing, we cannot do anything; without Christ we just remain a single part of the body without unity. United to Christ we become a body with a complete shape and elegance that bears witness to Christ and bears testimony to God’s love manifested in Christ Jesus. We by baptism have received the same spirit and therefore there is no distinction as Jews or Greeks, slaves or free; rich or poor or weak or strong. We become the members of Christ, who is the head and body of the church. It is Christ who makes us free from all sins and stains; it is Christ who makes us rich by his grace; it is Christ who enables us to function as  one single body as Church of  Christ; It is Christ who influences us to inspires others, just as Christ inspired and  ignited St.  Paul on his way to Damascus.

Today we are divided or different in many ways, but we stand as one Church or people together. It is a witness that we bear.  It should not be merely in words rather it should be seen in our daily lives. It is a call for united witness, walking together, working together and witnessing together as members of Christ. That’s what Pope Francis has begun the Synodal journey of walking together for communion, participation and mission. It is a wonderful and appropriate initiative for all of us to bear witness to Christ as one Synodal family, bearing fruit in plenty. For this common goal and work, Christ is our pure head and leader. Let us keep aside all our individual differences for the common good. I am sure, when we keep aside all our individual differences and opinions for Christ’s sake, Christ become the centre of our life and we become mediators of God’s covenant on earth to establish that unity, which Christ longs for or wishes for. Let us pray for the grace of united witness in the world.

3.      Love

Love is the greatest law in the world and nothing stand so great and tall in comparison with the law of love.  I don’t mean to say this is law and therefore it has to be forced upon, but I understand that it has become the habitual practice to love everyone genuinely and sincerely. We all of us know very well that Jesus himself proclaimed in Matthew’s Gospel when asked by a Pharisee, Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt 22: 37-39).

Something similar in the line of love commandment and mission of love is what we hear from the gospel reading of the day from the Evangelist St.  Luke. We have the famous bible verses of Prophet Isaiah quoted and repeated by Jesus, which is the mission of Jesus, for which he came into the world, “The spirit of the Lord is upon me, he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor, liberty to the captives, to set free prisoners, to proclaim the year of lord’s favour.” This mission statement is basically a mission of love manifested by Jesus to the people. God has sent his only Son for love of us; Son Jesus came on earth for love of God and for love of each one of us. Therefore, love becomes the center of God’s mission, so Jesus’ mission too filled with love and kindness for people.

Today, we could concretely manifest the mission of God’s love, whenever we love the people who are poor in different areas of life; We could manifest the mission of God’s love, when we love people who have become captives and prisoners of addictions, bad habits and vulnerable conditions; we could manifest the mission of God’s love,  whenever we make efforts to proclaim God’s word to people for consolation and comfort we bring the love of God to people. So let us pray that the greatest of all law, love takes complete control of us. Surely, this love has to be manifested genuinely to God, others and oneself so that we may live lives without hatred, jealousy and gossip.

Pope Francis very beautifully shares, “He heard the cry of the poor and didn't look the other way nor close his eyes,” remarking that assisting a poor person is a “sacred act” in the Church, aligning with its mission of mercy.” Yes, assisting and helping the poor of the society, state, community, Church and the world at large is a sacred duty and responsibility. Let  us make it  a possibility in our live by giving importance to God’s mission of  love and  share the same love to people at the margins of the society, those unwanted, neglected, unloved and those who have no one  to care for. Let us seek for the anointing of the Holy Spirit, as Jesus was anointed to proclaim the good news to the poor and reach out to them in love, that we may also follow his path of being anointed by the spirit of God, reaching out to people in love, compassion and generosity and mercy.

As Gospel reading of the day emphasizes that Jesus’ mission is directed towards the marginalized: the poor, the blind, the oppressed, and captives, let us as well reach out to the poor and those at the margins of the society with love, kindness and generosity. Let these attitudes and approach of Jesus, which underscores the preferential option for the poor, be part of our ministry too, so that, we may make mission of Jesus as part of our missionary journey. So we shall pray that the law of the lord be a delight in living our lives with loyalty. Let the united efforts of our witness in living the Gospel be an inspiration to one another. Let the law of love rule over our hearts to win the heart of God, others and ourselves. Let us remain loyal, united and love all to share the mission of God’s love to all.

RESPOND:

Do we remain loyal to God at all times?

Do we show our unity and oneness with God and with one another in our world or our ego and pride take upper hand?

Do we manifest our love for God through our brothers and sisters in our world, the poor, the weak or do we take sides with the rich and the powerful for selfish gains?

Let us be loyal, united and loving to God and to one another, so that God’s merciful face and his love be shown to all in our world. Amen.

Fr. Ramesh George MSFS