5th Sunday of Ordinary Time
That was quite a gathering last Wednesday in Seattle as people came from near and far to celebrate the Seahawks Super Bowl championship. Some claimed that more people attended the parade than live in the city of Seattle. I wonder how many in that huge crowd were Christian. On the surface, there is little that separates them from others.
One French writer observed centuries ago, “Christians are not distinguished from others by country language or clothes. They do not dwell in cities of their own; they do not use some extraordinary tongue; their lifestyle has nothing singular about it. They follow local customs in matters of behavior. They obey established laws, and their manner of living is more perfect than the laws. In brief, Christians are to the world what the soul is to the body.”
No wonder Jesus said to his listeners, “You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world.” This is not intended as a compliment, but as a challenge, a plea for us to live the gospel we have heard and profess to believe: to love, teach, pray and serve. Quite simply, our Lord wants us to become the people he has made us to be; to follow him and truly witness to what we believe.
“You are the salt of the earth,” Jesus tells us. He uses an interesting yet profound image. By itself salt is rather useless. You can’t do anything with just salt. I can’t imagine anyone swallowing a spoonful of salt. When we use salt in cooking, we do so sparingly, knowing that the right amount enhances the meal while too much salt ruins the taste. On the other hand, those who have to live without salt for health reasons, recall how bland food taste at first without salt. Just as salt can make a crucial difference in the kitchen, Jesus is saying we can make a difference in the world around us.
The readings today speak to us about witness. The best apologetic to someone who has fallen away from the Catholic faith—or is not Catholic and, in either case, has questions about the Catholic faith—is not some brilliant theological discourse, but a life that gives good witness to the faith. If we live truly spirit-filled lives in Christ Jesus, we will evangelize more powerfully than if we use a thousand words. As St Francis of Assisi suggested: “Preach always, and use words only when necessary.”
Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia recently opined, “Christians are here for a reason: to change the world, for the sake of the world, in the name of Jesus Christ. That work belongs to each of us. Nobody will do it for us. And the idea that we can somehow accomplish that work without engaging — in a hands-on way — the laws, the structures, the public policies, the habits of mind and the root causes that sustain injustice in our countries, is a delusion.
“Laypeople are not second-class disciples in this task. They’re not second-class members of the Body of Christ. There is no such creature as a “second-class” Christian. Baptism is a sacrament of redemption; but also of equality in God’s love. Laypeople have exactly the same dignity as clergy and religious — and this moment in history cries out for mature, intelligent, zealous and faithful lay leaders in an urgent way.”
One need not be an extravert, entertainer, or brilliant lecturer to be a successful Christian. It’s not about personality; it is about heart. It is about approaching your Christian life with passion rather than with a yawn. After all, on the day of Pentecost, Jesus did not rain down Prozac from heaven, he rained fire. In the presence of fire, people don’t meander and mope, they move and move quickly.
We can’t be the light of the world unless we are on fire. The Christian life cannot be lived on autopilot or in a robotic fashion. That approach renders a faith that is barely surviving, which is why in due time, a fair number of Catholics drift away from the faith. Such a laid back approach to living the faith attracts no one to Christ and the Catholic faith.
So how can one move from being a lukewarm Catholic to a salty, on fire one? Simple. Through prayer, which deepens your relationship with Jesus Christ. Ask yourself right now if your faith is hot or lukewarm. Are you spiritually alive or comatose? Here is a test. Answer these questions honestly:are you excited about prayer, or do you find it a chore? When you have extra time and money, how much do you ever invest in spiritual growth or service to others? Are you “too busy” to get to confession regularly, attend a parish event such as Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, or get involved in serving the needy? If so, I have a suggestion.
In the bulletin, you will find this flyer entitled, Living life as a sacred story. Beginning on Ash Wednesday, I invite you to join me on a forty-week retreat that will provide a daily prayer walk with Jesus. This life-changing program, based on St. Ignatius’ powerful spiritual exercises, could introduce you to a heart-felt personal relationship with Jesus through daily prayer, spiritual discernment and a regular and fruitful practice of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Our closing song is one we have sung often: This little light of mine. Children and adults alike sing it with delight. As simple as the words may be, and as airy the melody, the message is profound for it is a proclamation of one’s willingness to give witness to one’s faith. When we do, may our actions brighten the way for others to find God.
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