HOMILY FOR THE 5TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A.



Isaiah 58:7-10; Psalm 111:4-9; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; Matthew 5:13-16.

“JUST BE A CHRISTIAN!”

By: Rev. Fr. Charles Onyeka Ezejide.

· Dearly beloved in Christ, today we celebrate the 5th Sunday in ordinary time year A. It is also the first Sunday in February. This month is very important for us both in our national life and our spiritual life. 

· In this month, we shall begin the solemn journey of Lent with the Lord. This month, we shall make an important decision of choosing leaders who will lead our country for the next four years. We pray that the Lord will guide us and help us to make the right and informed decisions in choosing credible leaders.

· While we pray and expect the best, we must do our best to listen to what the Lord is saying to us today. The demand the Lord makes of us today is to “Just be a Christian!” God is not asking us to do extra. Just being a good Christian is enough.

· The mistake we make most times is to imagine that the word "Christian" is just a noun (name). It is both a noun and a verb in a sense. When we take up the identity of a Christian, God expects us to do something. To be another Christ. To do what Christ will do in all situations. Any Christian who is not ready to be another Christ does not deserve the name, Christian. 

· Friends in Christ, we are Christians not by our name but by our actions and character. Our Christianity can only be effective when we become impactful and intentional about what we do and how we do it in the name of Christ.

· In the first reading (Isaiah 58:7-10), the Prophet Isaiah lists what should form the identity and character of a Christian. God is not asking us for too much. He says to us: share your bread with the hungry, shelter the homeless, clothe the naked, do not abandon those in need, etc.

· These actions are the things that ignite the light of God in us. When we do them, we shall burn brightly, not to show off, but to be what God expects us to be - Just be a Christian!

· Sometimes, I wonder if we still have any integrity in us as Christians. The Prophet Isaiah says to us today that your integrity should go before you. And the glory of the Lord behind you. When we cause other people pain, where is your integrity? When we take advantage of the hardship in our country to exploit others, where is our integrity? 

· We point accusing fingers at our leaders and those in government. Meanwhile, we are the worst of it. It is just that we do not have the opportunity they have. Why are we mean and wicked to one another? Why are we so insensitive to the pain and hunger that is currently ravaging our country? Then, when we are allowed to just be a Christian to our brother or sister, we bring out the beast in us instead of our best.

· God is telling us to do away with the yoke of wickedness, a d clinched fist (greed), that is not our identity as Christians. We should once again share our bread with the hungry. And be a light in a world full of darkness, then you are just being a Christian. 

· In the gospel reading (Matthew 5:13-16), St. Matthew uses the salt and light metaphor to buttress who we are as Christians. We are the light of the world - the role models to others. And the salt of the earth - we bring good flavour to those who encounter us and preserve the love and peace among the children of God. 

· Sadly, many Christians have allowed their lights to be dimmed by pressure and the darkness of the world. Our lights are not even under the bushel anymore, it is now completely dimmed. We live in a world of many nominal Christians with little or no impact.

· As salts of the earth, what flavour of love do I bring to the community where I belong? Do I spread love and peace to a world full of hate and violence? Do I preserve the integrity of the Christian with the quality of life that I live?

· Dearly beloved in Christ, most of us are far from these ideals, but God who calls us into them knows that we can do it. Today, let us decide to be Christians again. Let us bring Christ to every matter and aspect of our lives. 

· St. Paul, in the second reading (1 Corinthians 2:1-5), tells us that what we are called to do is not rocket science. It is not a high-sounding philosophy or some utopian expectations. It is liveable and doing. His life is a testimony of just being a Christian. 

· Beloved in Christ, we can be Christians again. The world is yearning for authentic Christians. The world is waiting for us to take the lead and let our light dispel every darkness. The Lord is calling you today to make your Christian identity count. Will you say no?

· Remember the words of the Psalmist today, “A good man is light in the darkness for the upright.” Let us be the lights of the world again. Let us be salts of the earth. Let us just be Christians!

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

· Happy Sunday!!!

* NB: Please remember to say a prayer for me and my 15 classmates as we mark our 8th priestly ordination anniversary on Tuesday 7th February 2023. God bless you!