Called by God; Called to Purity and Called to Call Others.

Homily for January 14, 2018.


“And the LORD came and stood forth, calling as at other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel said, ‘Speak, for thy servant hears.’” 1 Samuel 3:10.

On this second Sunday of Ordinary time, our readings challenge us to reflect on our Christian call which is also the source of our Christian identity. We are Christians not simply because we attend Church but because we have been called and because we were called, we took on a new identity. Today, we shall ask ourselves: “Are we still responding to our calling?”

On the day of our baptism, each of us was called by name. The voice of the priest at baptism represents the voice of God himself calling us as he called Samuel in our first reading. Even though some of us were still infants, we responded to God’s call by saying “Yes” or “I do” to our baptismal promises.

Just as Eli guided the young Samuel, our Parents and Godparents guided us in our spiritual development. The question is: “How many of us parents are still living up to our responsibility of showing good example and guiding the young ones to God?” When last did I check on my God-son/daughter?

Again on the day of our Confirmation, God called us again by name through the voice of the Bishop and we were made soldiers of Christ. In Holy Matrimony, God calls us by name through the voice of our spouse and we promised fidelity. On the day of our ordination, our names were called out and we stood to answer: “Present” before stepping up to the Sanctuary. In Penance and in the anointing of the sick, our names are called indirectly as we prostrated ourselves before God asking for healing.

In the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, God calls each of us by name by speaking to us during the Liturgy of the Word. That is why each reading ends with: “The word of the Lord.” God also speaks to our heart directly in the homily. Afterward, we immediately respond to God’s call in the Creed. This is why we stand during the Creed. Like soldiers who have just been briefed by their commander, we rise to say or sing our “Yes” “I Believe” “I accept” to all that God has told us.

In our second reading today, God calls us to Purity. Speaking through St. Paul, God says to us: “Shun immorality. … Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; so glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:18-20.

I am personally waiting for Operation Phyton Dance and Operation Crocodile Smiles on the perpetrators of the Benue killers, but then, I know that even if the President is just one man, the Presidency is made up of many people. So I call on all Christians in Power, Christians in positions of authority, Christians who can “do something” to act now. Let not the pursuit of money and comfort override your basic duty as Confirmed Soldiers of Christ. From our Vice President (who is also a Pastor) down to the cleaner in the Local Government who is a Christian, I appeal to you to do everything possible to save our Faith.

Nonetheless, as much as Christianity today suffers unprecedented attacks from outside, we cannot close our eyes to the attacks emanating from within, amongst which include: Christians who do not live up to the demands of their call by God; Christians who do not believe their bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit; Christians who practically worship and adore money e.t.c. If we must fight for the Christian Faith, the fight has to begin from within; from our hearts, from our churches from our homes. Let us fight against sin; let us fight against immorality; let us fight against insincerity, worldliness and hatred of one another.

In our Gospel passage, Andrew is presented to us as an example of how God calls each one of us and how we are to respond. First of all, Andrew positioned himself at the right place. He was a seeker of righteousness and so he was drawn to follow John the Baptist. When John the Baptist introduced him to Jesus as the Lamb of God, Andrew and the other disciple went to Jesus. Andrew accepted Jesus’ invitation to “come and see”, he experienced Jesus by spending a whole night with him, and he became convinced that Jesus is the Messiah.

The next day, without wasting time at all, Andrew became a witness for Jesus. He started telling people about Jesus and he brought his brother, Simon to Jesus. Simon became the fruit of Andrew’s evangelisation. Dear friend, we must ask ourselves: Have I really encountered Jesus? And if so, am I fully convinced about Jesus? And if so, how many fruits have I borne? How many persons have I introduced to Jesus? How many lives have been changed by my witnessing?

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, may my life be a positive response to your call. Amen

*Happy Sunday. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. (Second Sunday in Ordinary Time: Year B. Bible Study: 1 Samuel 3:3-10,19 and 1st Corinthians 6:13-20 and John 1:35-42). 

No comments:

Post a Comment