Homily (Reflection) for the Third Sunday of
the Year (C) (24th January, 2016) on the Gospel
Neh 8:2-6.8-10;
Ps 18:8-10.15. (R. Jn 6:63);1Cor 12:12-30 or 1Cor 12:12-14.17;
Lk 1:1-4; 4:14-21.
One
priest was reported to the bishop by some of his parishioners. On the day the bishop
fixed to hear from both sides, the spokesperson of the aggrieved parishioners,
an old man in his seventies said virtually everything with the exception of
anything good about the priest. Wondering if the priest went to the parish just
to do all sorts of evil the bishop asked them whether he actually did all the
things they accused him of. He went on to tell them that even if he decided to
do only evil he would not have been able to do all they have said. After
looking at themselves for a while, the spokesperson said to the bishop, “My
Lord, it is not that he has actually did all these. We decided to accuse him of
both the ones he has done and those we think he will do in the future if he is
allowed to stay further. It is left for him to wriggle himself out of them. And
let him bear the consequences of those he fails to escape from”.
Topic: Always say the truth.
Two main themes in today’s gospel
are the purpose of Saint Luke’s gospel (Lk
1:1-4) and the beginning of the Galilean ministry (Lk 4:14-21). Saint Luke knew that he was not the first to embark on
the project but he “too decided, after investigating everything carefully from
the very first, to write an orderly account ... so that you may know the truth
concerning the things about which you have been instructed” (Lk 1:3-4). And the second part portrays
Jesus as the fulfilment of Isaiah’s prophesy, cf. Is 61:1-2. Our homily however will be based on the first part (Lk 1:1-4).
Luke clearly stated that he was not an eyewitness (Lk 1:2). He did a careful investigation
to write an orderly account for Theophilus to know the truth concerning the
things he has been instructed. Luke did not intend convincing Theophilus
through deception because “He who speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a
false witness utters deceit” (Prov 12:17).
But today, truth has fallen in the public squares, and
uprightness cannot enter, cf. Is 59:14.
Through prophet Jeremiah God accuses the Israelites of not obeying His voice and
of rejecting discipline. Again, that truth has perished and is cut off from their
lips, cf. Jer 7:28. He goes further “Every
one deceives his neighbour, and no one speaks the truth; they have taught their
tongue to speak lies; they commit iniquity and are too weary to repent” (Jer 9:5).
Although many despise those who speak the truth (cf. Jn 8:45; Amos 5:10) yet children of God cannot abandon truth for lies. God
is the truth, cf. Is 65:16; Jn 18:37.
Jesus also speaks of Himself, I am ... the truth, cf. Jn 14:6. Again, the Holy Spirit is the truth, cf. 1Jn 5:7. And no lie can be found in the
truth, cf. 1Jn 2:21.
On the contrary, the devil hates the truth, because there is
no truth in him. And when he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for
he is a liar and the father of lies, cf. Jn
8:44.
Children of God must remember that God’s word is truth, cf. Jn 17:17. And the summary of His word
is also truth, cf. Ps 119:160. The
household of God, the church of the living God, is both the pillar and bulwark
of the truth, cf. 1Tim 3:15. But unfortunately,
it seems that many have exchanged the truth about God for a lie; they worship
and serve creatures rather than the Creator, cf. Rom 1:25. The sanctity of the house of God must be maintained at
all cost no matter what one thinks is at stake. Sanctification of souls should
be paramount. Handle the word of truth correctly, cf. 2Tim 2:15. We must do everything only for the truth, cf. 2Cor 13:8.
Saint Paul begs us all to guard the truth that has been
entrusted to us by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us cf. 2Tim 1:14. We all ought to put away falsehood
and speak the truth to our neighbours, cf. Eph
4:25. But we must speak the truth in love, cf. Eph 4:15. Let no one sacrifice the truth on any altar, cf. Prov 23:23. Saint Paul also calls on us
all to celebrate not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but
with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth, cf. 1Cor 5:8.
Dear friends, the parishioners who reported their parish
priest to their bishop levelled against him all sorts of lies just to make the
bishop see him as a devil. Even if you have an issue with somebody, always say what
you know about the person. Do not lie against anybody even against the devil. Anyone
who wishes to worship God must do so in spirit and in truth, cf. Jn 4:24. Children of God are children
of truth.
Bible Reading: Jas 5:12; Matt 5:33-37; Ps 15; Prov
23:1-35; 1Tim 6:3-10.
Thought for today:
“... the truth will make you free” (Jn
8:32).
Let us pray: God, give us your light and your
truth; let them lead us to your holy hill and to your dwelling – Amen (Ps 43:3).
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