THE TRUE CHRISTIAN SPIRIT

HOMILY FOR 3RD SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME – YR C.

*R1: Neh. 8:2-6,8-10; 

R2: 1 Cor. 12:12-30, 

Gospel: Luke 1:1-4,4:14-21

Theme: The True Christian Spirit

My dear friends in Christ, last Sunday we reflected on the Second Manifestation (Epiphany) of Christ and its place in our lives as Christians. With the gospel reading of last Sunday, Jesus attended a wedding at Cana in Galilee, where he turned water into wine (Jn 2:1-8). This first miracle of Christ made a lot of people believed in him (Jn 2:11). Those who believed in him make his disciples (followers). Also, through our sacramental baptism, we are the children of God. Thus, today’s readings lunch us proper to this year’s liturgical year by disposing us to the qualities expected of a TRUE CHRISTIAN. We cannot be good Christians without the following:

*1. THE DESIRE TO HEAR THE WORD OF GOD:* From the first reading, the Israelites showed their readiness and deep disposition to listen to the Word of God, having stayed away in exile for long without hearing this Word. Their disposition is characterized by the readiness to stay for hours and to listen to Ezra reading these Words, without complaints (Neh 8:3).

Today, our Church and our Christianity is characterized by partial rejection of the Word of God. The desire to listen to the Word of God is almost dead in many people. A lot of Christians do not even have the Bible let alone reading it. Even, when people notice that you like talking about the Bible, they will call you names and make comic statements about you. A lot of people even fill uncomfortable to let their friends know they are carrying the Bible.  What an unfortunate situation. 

My friends, we cannot be true Christians without the desire to hear God speak to us through the Bible and the teachings of the Church. To be guided properly to live a good Christian life, the word of God is unavoidable, thus, the psalmist echoes: Your words are spirit and they are life (Jn 6:63). Let us possess the Bible, let us love the word of God for Jesus is the word of God.

*2. PROFESSION OF FAITH:* The desire to listen to hear the word of God and the actual listening to the word of God id followed up by the profession of faith. The Israelites responded to Ezra today by saying Amen, Amen, stating their desire to follow the proclamation of the word.

In the church, after the homily (preaching) we usually profess the same faith when we say or sing the Creed (I believe...). The unfortunate thing is that this proclamation of faith by many Christians does not sink into the heart. No wonder Matt. 15:8, says; “These people only honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” My dear friends let us always show a deep faith for what we believe. How can we truly profess our faith?

*3. PRACTISE YOUR FAITH:* The true profession of faith is by practising what we believe. Christians are only known by the kind of life they live. The group of believers were first called Christians because the way they lived (Acts 11:26). That means, Christianity is not just a name but an attitude. And that is why in Jn 13:35 Jesus say’ “It is by this [practising] that you will be known as my disciples.

The second reading of today (1 Cor 12:12-30) explains this point well by encouraging everyone to use his gift properly for the service of God and wellbeing of others. No one is too important than the other. Everyone has a role to play in life. Part of the fundamental role we are to play is to help one another attain salvation. Unity is a divine character and Christians must possess it. Christ prayed that his people be one (Jn 17:12). Oneness is a symbol of love.  Therefore, my friends let us love one another for all of us are important like the different parts of the Body (Church) join to the Head (Christ).

The actual possession of the Christian spirit as listed above is the fulfilment of the gospel as Luke stated in the Gospel Reading. There are very many Christians who are shying away and dying silently because of the wrong spirit put up by many Christians. If we possess the true spirit of Christianity, what again are we talking about if not that “...those in captivity will be set free, the blind will see, the downtrodden set free, and the Lord’s time realised (Lk.4:18).

May God help us all to be true Christians, through Christ our Lord; Amen.

*Fr. Livinus Chukwuemeka. SMMM*