HOMILY FOR THE 3RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A.

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 Isaiah 9:1-4; Psalm 27:1.4.13-14; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17; Matthew 4:12-23

“ARISE AND SHINE!”

By: Rev. Fr. Charles Onyeka Ezejide.

·      Today the church celebrates the third Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A. Today we are reminded that we carry in us the light of Christ. Hence, we ought to arise and shine for our light has come.

·      From the beginning, when we took on the nature of Christ through the reception of the sacrament of Baptism, the priest presented to us a lighted candle with a demand: “receive the light of Christ. This light must be kept burning brightly…”

·      Have we ever paused and pondered whether our light is still burning? Have we allowed the darkness of the world to envelop our light? Have we allowed our mistakes and inadequacies to dim the light of God in us?

·      Friends in Christ, we must realise that the spirit Christ gave us is not a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power, love, and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7). This means that Christ expects us to blossom wherever we are planted. To let his light shine wherever we go and whomever we encounter.

·      In the first reading (Isaiah 9:1-4), the prophet uses the experience of the people of Israel to tell us what God is prepared to do in our midst. The people of Israel had lawlessly departed from the ways of God and yet God did not give up on them.

·      Through prophets after prophets, he called them to original innocence and to righteousness. They invited them to come in again into the wonderful light of Christ. This time, the people heard the voice of God and repented for their sins.

·      Because they listened, God moved them from slavery to sin to righteousness. From the darkness of corruption into his wonderful light. From stagnation to multiplication. From sadness into abundant joy.

·      Beloved in Christ, we see in this experience the damaging effects of sin. It brings about sorrow, sadness, stagnation, withdrawal from the presence of God, and the dimming of the light of Christ in us. But once we repent and renounce our sins, God brings us into his wonderful light. We rise again and shine!

·      Sin is an oppressor of the children of God. Sin holds us down and covers the light of Christ that has been ignited in us. Sin is our accuser. But today, the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, who accuses us day and night before our God ().

·      God has taken away our yoke of slavery. He has taken away all that has held us captive. He has removed the veil of shame covering our light. He now wants us to blossom again. He wants us to be happy again. He wants us to arise and shine for our day of liberation is here.

·      Having been liberated by Christ, we must be careful about the things that hold us back. In the second reading (1 Corinthians 1:10-13.17), St. Paul makes a passionate appeal to us to avoid the things that lead us into sin.  To avoid the things that cast aspersion on our identity as Christians.

·      How can we be called Christians and yet dwell in disunity? How can be Christians and neglect to serve and worship the God of men and serve the men of God? You hear statements like: “I belong to Paul; I belong to Apollos…” Is Christ now divided? 

·      Friends in Christ, let us retrace our steps and return to Christ Jesus. He is our ideal model of faith who cannot fail nor disappoint us. He calls us to the unity of purpose under one head which is Christ himself.

·      In the gospel reading (Matthew 4:12-23), Jesus calls us to renew our commitment to him. He wants our lights to shine again. He wants us to rise from our heap of shame to fame. He wants us to come alive again and he says, “come follow me”.

·      Our response to God ought to be quick and immediate. We must be prepared to leave everything behind and follow Jesus. Whatever dims our light, whatever leads us to sin we must leave behind and come into the wonderful light of Christ.

·      Once we have courageously made the decision to arise and shine. To leave sin and follow righteousness, to follow God and abandon our old ways. we must be ready to make a faith declaration like the Psalmist: “The Lord is my light and my salvation” (Ps. 27:1). If God is your light and your salvation, then you ought to arise and shine for your light has come!

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

·      Happy Sunday!!!

 

 

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