DAILY HOMILIES #Word

Two Sundays ago, we celebrated the first mystery of light (the Baptism of Jesus), and last Sunday, we celebrated the second mystery (the self-revelation at the Wedding Feast at Cana). From today until we enter the season of Lent, we will be celebrating the third mystery of light—Jesus’ Proclamation of the Kingdom of God and the call to conversion. In each of these mysteries, we are being enlightened and given more light into Jesus’ true identity as God in the midst of men.

In today’s Gospel passage, we see the power of God’s Word when Jesus Christ speaks to Levi, the tax collector. Just one sentence is enough to make Levi abandon the lucrative business of collecting taxes. Unlike Peter, Andrew, James, and John, Levi becomes an instant fisher of men when he attempts to convert his fellow tax collectors by hosting Jesus in his house.

In Jesus, God has shown his face to mankind. With the birth of Jesus, we can put a face to God. We know that God is not just a figment of imagination but a father whom we can touch. When Philip asked to see the Father, Jesus said: “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father?’ Do you not believe I am in the Father, and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own, but the Father who dwells in me does his works.” (John 14:9-10)

Another way of understanding this parable is to think of the various soils as symbols of the time we devote to studying God’s Word daily. While the seed that fell on the path represents those who do not spend up to five minutes daily meditating on God’s Word, the seed that fell on good soil represents those who spend hours on God’s Word daily.

Jesus tells us that a man scatters the seed on the ground and goes to sleep only to see the seed growing. How this happens, he does not know. In other words, it is not for us to know how the Word works; all we have to do is scatter the seed and let God do the rest.

Life is all about connection. No human being can survive entirely on their own. No one is an island. Just as we need to remain connected to Jesus to stay alive spiritually, we also need to be connected to our fellow human beings to remain alive.

Christmas is such a wonderful love story. God’s way of vocalising “I Love You” was by giving us the greatest gift ever: the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. It doesn’t end there; God gave us Jesus Christ to die for us. Could there be any better way of saying: “I Love You”?

Let us ask ourselves: “Where I am right now?” That is, which type of soil defines my current spirituality? Once we answer this question, we will know what to do. We all can produce great fruits for God’s kingdom. Think of Sts. Paul, Matthew, Peter, Mary Magdalene, etc. If they are saints today, you, too, can be a saint.

The Centurion wanted Jesus to utter a word. He knew that distance was not a barrier. Indeed, the centurion knew that Jesus was the commander in charge of the universe. Do I recognise this fact also? If so, why am I always afraid of demons and evil spirits? Why is my fear of the devil more than my fear of God?

Just as God spoke and creation came into existence, they create something in us whenever we hear God’s words. This is what the prophet Isaiah proclaims in today’s first reading. Just as rain does not fall without causing plants to grow, God’s words are never uttered in vain. They never return to God empty (i.e. without accomplishing what God intends).

Don’t witness a miracle without taking a moment to ponder on your life and repent. Do not simply laugh or clap and then walk away – do not be like the power of Chorazin or Bethsaida that Jesus was not happy with because they witnessed His miracles but refused to turn from their sins.

In John 6, Jesus told us: “I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.” (John 6:51). In this same light, Jesus is saying to us today: “If anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” (John 8:51).