Reflection/Sermon/Homily for Monday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time 25th September 2023

Reflection/Sermon/Homily for Monday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time 25th September 2023 

Ezra 1:1-6. Psalm 126:1-2ab,2cd-3,4-5,6.  Luke 8:16-18.

We begin our first reading from the Book of Ezra. It speaks of the return of the Israelites who were in exile in Babylon to Judah. They were in exile for seventy years. Their return was the Lord's doing. God went as far as using a pagan king to rebuild the house of the Lord, saying that the Jews who were in Babylon can return to Jerusalem and rebuild the house of the Lord (cf.Ezra 1:2-3).

God can use anyone to accomplish his mission. God is still staring the life of so many to consecrate their life to him, to rebuild the temple of the Lord, that is, the spiritual temple, the people of God. 

Jesus, in today's Gospel, compares us to a lamp on the stand. He encourages us to stand out. No one lights a lamp and puts it under the bed. We are supposed to light, dispelling the darkness of our world.

We are not to hide our talents and gifts; we should always use them to give God glory by serving his people. Jesus tells us in today's Gospel, "For to him who has will more be given, and from him who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away" (Luke 8:18). If God blesses us, it is so that you would be a source of blessing to others. If what God has blessed us with is not used for the good of others, it will be taken from us.

May our light grow dim, and may we experience growth in all ramifications through Christ our Lord. Amen.

OR

HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE 25TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Ezra 1:1-6; Ps.126; Luke 8:16-18

Living as true Light

Jesus, in today’s gospel, does not only want us to know that we are the light of the world but also to understand what this identity implies. We are light in the world only because we radiate the light of Christ. The light we reflect, is not ours but Christ’s. So, we can only remain light, in the authentic sense, when we remain connected with Jesus. Invariably, one who has disassociated the self from Christ, has stopped beaming light in the world because a river that forgets its source surely runs dry.

Going further, Jesus says that a light is never hidden but placed in a position where it can serve others. This means that a light is not light for itself but for others. For a light not to shine for others, it will invariably not shine for itself. Light, in its very self, cannot afford to be selfish. As light of the world, we too should not entertain any iota of selfishness. We cannot afford to use our gifts for ourselves alone. The moment it becomes possible for us, then we have stopped being light in the world.

Light does not triumph in secret; even in darkness, it rather dispels the night. The very nature of light is such that it brings everything to the open. If we are light of the world, transparency must be our watchword. Sycophancy, double-standard, character assassination, lies, etc, are not reconcilable with anyone who is supposedly the light of the world. Often times, it is those who have a lot to hide that border about the gossiping of others. If your ways are transparent, gossipers will have a hard time telling lies about you; most often, they will be advertising your good deeds.

Beloved, being light means being loving. When we love, we do not loose but gain. But when we do not love, we become empty. Light is attractive; so Jesus says that those who have (light) will be given more, while those who have not (light) will loose everything. As we begin this new week, let us recommit ourselves to shining brightly in everything we do, everywhere we go and to everyone we meet. It does not cost much to be good.