HOMILY OF SUNDAY OF THE FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
ISAIAH 58:7-10, 1 Cor 2;1-5, Mt 5:13-16
THEME: CHRISTIANS AS SIGNS OF GOD’S PRESENCE IN THE WORLD
You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world.
Quotes: As Christians, as people meant to represent the kingdom of God, our influence must be impactful. We must be rich in good works”.
As salt, we must add flavour to the life of the people around us. We are called to be influencers: Where there is strife, we are to be peacemakers; where there is sorrow, we are to be the ministers of Christ, binding up wounds. Where there is hatred, we are to exemplify the love of God in Christ, returning good for evil (Luke 6:35).
The life of Christ in us makes seasoning or preservatives. We must work to preserve the gospel values, wherever we find ourselves. We must save the world from corruption of sin.
Moreover, as the light of the word, we are called to be the embodiment of God’s word. The psalmist said
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105.
Light is meant to guide. It gives warning. Light directs people to give room for orderliness. That is what the traffic light does. As light, we are meant to correct those who are going astray. We must serve to guide people in the way of truth. These, we ought to do in love and gentleness.
Nevertheless, let us remember that we are not simply the light of the church, but of the world. Our heart belongs to everybody. The beneficiaries of our benevolence must cut across gender, religion, language, or race.
Above all, our good works should be done with a kind of comeliness that gives it flavour and makes it attractive. We are expected to do all with cheerfulness and the right disposition. Our good works are not meant to attract attention to ourselves but to God.
“Your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”
Let us remember that it is the Lord who works in us to will and to do. Phil. 2:13 It is not what we do but what God is doing in us and through us.
We pray that our life and works may give glory to God. Amen.
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