YEAR B: HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE TENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME (1)

YEAR B: HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE TENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

HOMILY THEME: MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHER PEOPLE

BY: Fr. Benny Tuazon

 

HOMILY:

(Mt. 5:13-16) Tuesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time

In the day’s Gospel, Jesus tells the apostles what are they like: the salt of the earth and light of the world. It means they have vital roles to play in Jesus’s mission of salvation. The disciples will not only be listeners to Jesus’s words and benefit from them but they were expected to make a difference in the lives of other people. In the same way that salt gives flavor to food, the disciples will help others realize the meaning of their lives. In the same way that light erases the darkness and reveals the truth, the disciples were expected to help others get out of darkness and assert their true identity which is o be a child of God.

St. Anthony of Padua, whose feast we celebrate tomorrow, was a classic example of being salt and light. Specifically, St. Anthony’s precise and affective preaching had moved and changed a lot of His listeners. Even his colleagues and critics from other congregations depend on his preachings. Even after he died, many miracles were credited to him. He was known as prolific miracle worker. His intercession was so effective that almost every mother and father had a St. Anthony picture and novena prayer in their bags and wallets.

But it should be clear that St. Anthony and us do not possess our own light and salt. It is the Lord which provides everything. He is the light and the salt of life. It will be a mistake to fully credit ourselves for every convert or anyone who found refuge in our witnessing. We are like the moon, whose light which we share on earth (others) at night, comes from the sun (Jesus).

Yesterday evening another priest was gunned down while celebrating the Holy Mass. The motive was still not clear. Fr. RICHMOND was known to have debunked the claims and teachings of the Iglesia Ni Cristo. He was active in the field of apologetics. He defends the faith in order to enlighten not only the members of the Catholic Faith but others as well. His death was a great loss given the roles he had played in the Diocese of Cabanatuan and in the Catholic Church. His life was an example of Jesus’ command to be the light f the world and salt of the earth. He did not want people to be misled. He put meaning to his life and ministry as a priest by actively explaining the faith. In his death, Jesus was seen and heard.

The command of Jesus was actually a commissioning. Jesus sent His disciples to spread His salt and flood the world with His light. This is not just for priests and kay ministers. It is a command to all the baptized. Jesus, the light is in us. Let His light shine through is. Jesus, the salt which gives meaning to us, must be shared so that others may find meaning in their lives too.

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