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Homily, January 22, 2023

Speaker:
January 21, 2023
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From The Pastor

Why is Jesus the light of the world? Jesus himself uses Light as an expression of self-identity and mission to the world; “I am the Light to the World.” Jn. 8:12, Mt. 5:14. Essential meanings of this identity includes Jesus’ relationship with his Father as the source of life and love. Jesus is the Light of Truth in all who seek the way of light in a world filled with darkness.

The image of light is used in both the first reading and the gospel to contrast the darkness of oppression, violence, war, and poverty against the light of God revealed in Jesus to liberate those imprisoned in the harsh realities of the world. From the earliest times of developed civilization, oppression and darkness have been undeniable realities in the world through dysfunctional human interaction. Sadly, these conditions remain painfully evident in the world today.

As the revelation of Jesus moves forward in his mission as Savior of the world, we see a continuity in the rhythm of God’s plan for universal salvation. Darkness, violence, and oppression are constants in the story. John is coming to the end of his time as Jesus comes to the fore. This is indicated by the arrest of John the Baptist that culminates in his beheading. The death of John prefigures the kind of death we will see in Jesus.

Jesus takes up the very words of John the Baptist to bring them to fulfillment. “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” More than the moral conversion John called for, Jesus calls for a transformation of life from the inner self. The light of God in Jesus will be known in all who follow him. Jesus calls for a new way of being that will bring about a new social order of justice against the norm of violence and oppression. This is why Jesus moves from Nazareth to the seaside town of Capernaum. Not yet his hour of death, Jesus moves away from the violence of Herod to initiate the work of liberation in a geographical area of poverty, hopelessness, and despair. It is here his preaching begins, supported by works of healing the sick and rejected.

Immediately upon beginning his public ministry, Jesus calls others to join his mission. The call of Jesus is different from the norm. Those seeking a master to follow typically approached the teacher seeking to be accepted into the group. Most of these teachers held a certain theology, religious identity, political party, or philosophy of life. In the case of Jesus, with the first disciples, we are being called to his person. These first disciples knew Jesus and were known to him. They likely heard his preaching and witnessed his healing works. Jesus would have seen them in the crowd and may have engaged them in conversation. At the seashore, Jesus calls them to himself. Their response of ‘at once,’ and ‘immediately’ indicates their readiness to follow him. It was not a first-time encounter.

When Jesus says to them, “Follow me,” he is saying: be with me, come to know and understand me; share my mind and learn my heart, become one with me. This is in anticipation of their maturing faith and willingness to share in obedience to fulfilling the Father’s will through Jesus. Call always leads to discipleship; coming to know and love the Master is to carry his identity and way to others.

What is the way of Jesus? The work and identity of Jesus is clearly one of love for the poor, the oppressed, the downtrodden, and the rejected. The tone is one of liberation for those in anxious, depressed, and hopeless lives of desperation through empathy, compassion, healing through persistent acceptance and forgiveness. One way or another, this description fits all humanity. We all need the liberation and freedom that can only be realized in love, acceptance, and merciful forgiveness.

Such freedom is grounded in our love for one another as modeled by Jesus. The love of Jesus is the revelation of his Light fulfilled in his death and Resurrection. Love is truth and Jesus is the Incarnation of Divine love. This is the foundation and unchanging, non-negotiable reality of Christianity. The mission and meaning of every human being is to love and to be loved. One precedes and follows the other.

Today is Word of God Sunday. Initiated by Pope Francis in recent years, the day  reminds us to honor and reverence the richness of the Word of God. Jesus is the Word that unites us to the Father through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Our reflection on the gospel today is the gift and grace of the Word that informs and feeds our souls in the truth of God’s love for us.

The word of God is always relationship. It sows bonds of love between and among all believers. Jesus is the Vine that unites us to the Father who is the Vine grower. The fruit of the vine is love given in Jesus who is our Light. Listen for his call, great or small. One way or another, it will be a call to love, liberate, and be light for the world. You have what it takes. Practice makes perfect.

Father John Esper

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