Homily for Tuesday 22nd January 2019
_“We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf.” *(Hebrews 6:19-20)*_
Once upon a time, four candles slowly burned. The ambience was so soft, one could almost hear them talking. The first candle said: “I am Peace. The world is so full of anger and fighting. Nobody can keep me lit.” Then the flame of peace went out completely. The second candle said: “I am Faith. I am no longer indispensable. It doesn’t make sense that I stay lit another moment.” Just then a breeze softly blew Faith’s flame. Sadly, the third candle began to speak: “I am love. People don’t understand my importance so they simply put me aside. They even forget to love those who are nearest to them.” And waiting no longer, Love’s flame went out.
Suddenly a child entered the room and saw the three unlit candles. “Why aren’t you burning? You are supposed to stay lit till the end.” Saying this, the child began to cry. Then the fourth candle answered: “Don’t be afraid. I am Hope. While I am still burning we can re-light the other candles.”
Dear friends, where there is still hope, there is life. Hope as the book of Hebrews tells us today is the strong anchor of our soul. In this same reading, we are reminded of Abraham our father in Faith. Do you recall how God promised him and “failed” for twenty-five years? What kept him going for that long? Hope.
Hope is the ability to tell yourself that you can’t have it all today but tomorrow will be better. It is the willingness to wait even when you do not know when your waiting will end. It is the humility to accept that you are not in charge but God is. It is the courage to keep dropping on your knees again and again even all you get is silence.
In our Gospel passage this morning, it was rather unfortunate that Jesus who multiplied five loaves and two fish for five thousand men would go hungry on a Sabbath day, so hungry he and his disciples broke protocol and ate grains from the field. This teaches us that life is full of ups and downs. No one has it all. Sometimes God provides abundance. Sometimes, through hardship, God teaches us to value abundance.
One of my favourite sayings is: “It is well.” Or in Pidgin, “e go better.” Keep praying, and never let the flame of hope die out. It took Abraham twenty-five years to carry his child from Sarah his wife. There is always going to be light at the end of the tunnel. There will always be sunshine at daybreak. Things are not always going to remain like this. Have Hope!
Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, you knew what it means to be hungry. Into your hands I surrender all my cares, fears and worries, may my problems never become greater than the faith and hope I have in you. Amen.
St. Vincent, Deacon and Martyr, Pray for us.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Tuesday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time. Year C. Bible Study: Hebrews 6:10-20, Psalm 111, and Mark 2:23-28).
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