HOMILY FOR THE 2ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A.

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 Isaiah 49:3.5-6; Psalm 39:2.4.7-10 R/ v.8.9; 1 Corinthians 1:1-3; John 1:29-34

“YOU ARE MY WITNESS!”

By: Rev. Fr. Charles Onyeka Ezejide.

·      Today the church celebrates the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A. The church returns to the ordinary season of the year and has just concluded the Christmas season with the celebration of the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

·      What is the Lord calling us to do this Sunday? The Lord invites each of us to be his witnesses in the world. Today, we realise that being Christian is not just enough. God is in search of authentic witnesses to bring his salvation to the end of the earth.

·      For a case to be properly established, there ought to be witnesses to testify to the matter on the ground. The Bible tells us that, “the testimony of two or three witnesses” (2 Cor. 13:1). In the trial of the woman caught in adultery (Jn. 8:1-11), there were witnesses. Also, in the story of Suzanna and the shameless elders (Daniel 13), there were witnesses. In the trial of Jesus, the chief priest, the Scribes, and the Pharisees bore false testimony in that trail. Sadly, in most of the examples given above, there were all false witnesses. Today, the Lord calls us to be true witnesses.

·      The place of witnesses in almost every facet of life cannot be pushed aside. At all times, their testimonies carry weight and are expected to be true and credible but that is not always the case.

·      Dear friends, God does not just call us his children (Christians), he invites us to be his witnesses in the world. In the first reading (Isaiah 49:3.5-6), God is the first to take the initiative to call us his children. “You are my servants, in whom I will be glorified” (Is. 49:3).

·      Notice that the testimony of God through his Prophet Isaiah is futuristic – “I will be glorified” (Is. 49:3). The way we live our lives and carry out our daily tasks will prove whether God is glorified in our lives or not.

·      The Lord God has high hopes for us, he knew us even before we were formed in the womb. He wants us to be the light to the nations, the shining light for others to follow. That through our witnessing, salvation may reach the end of the earth.

·      In the second reading (1 Corinthians 1:1-3), we read the story of the call of Paul and his companion Sosthenes. Their call is also a call to witnessing. They are called to be saints. Saints are holy men and women. They are shining examples of faith, hope, and commitment to the things of God.

·      Notice also that the call was not just to Paul and Sosthenes alone, it was extended to all, “all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Christians)”. How can you be a Christian and not seek to bear witness to Christ?

·      Dearly beloved, the tragedy of our Christian life today is that we have millions of Christians but only a few witnesses. When it is time to stand up for the faith, many of us disappear or chicken out.

·      Christians have become laughingstocks because we are easily swayed by the events and currents of the world. Today, God is challenging us to let our faith count. Let us share and witness the joy of salvation. Let our faith conviction, and commitment become contagious. That is what it takes to be God’s witness in the world.

·      In the Gospel reading (John 1:29-34), John the Baptist demonstrates to us what it means to be a witness to God. He first sought to know God and his ways. Having now become converted – a true Christian, he is now ready to witness to his son in the world.

·      John was the first to point our Jesus to the world as the lamb of God. He went on and on to tell the world about Jesus. In fact, John bore witness to the life and mission of Christ.

·      Friends in Christ, God is not demanding so much from us. We must just seek to make him known wherever we are. Be a witness of God not necessarily by spoken word but by our quality of life.

·      There was no doubt about John being a witness to God in the world. His words and actions demonstrated it. That is what God expects of us today. In your family, be a witness of God. In your school and studies, be a witness of God. In your place of work, be a witness. In your daily encounter with people, let Christ be encountered through you.

·      This invitation of God must be taken seriously. Let our Christian life be fruitful and contagious. If we accept this invitation, we must like the Psalmist says to God today, “see, I have come, Lord, to do your will” (Ps. 40:8.9).

·      May the good Lord bless his words in our hearts, through Christ our Lord, Amen.

·      Happy Sunday!!!

 

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