HEBREWS 10:19-25; PSALM 24; MARK 4:21-25.
Reading 1 Heb 10:19-25
Brothers and sisters:
Since through the Blood of Jesus
we have confidence of entrance into the sanctuary
by the new and living way, he opened for us through the veil,
that is, his flesh,
and since we have “a great priest over the house of God,”
let us approach with a sincere heart and in absolute trust,
with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience
and our bodies washed in pure water.
Let us hold unwaveringly to our confession that gives us hope,
for he who made the promise is trustworthy.
We must consider how to rouse one another to love and good works.
We should not stay away from our assembly,
as is the custom of some, but encourage one another,
and this all the more as you see the day drawing near.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6
- (see 6) Lord, this is the people that long to see your face.
The LORD’s are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
R. Lord, this is the people that long to see your face.
Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
or who may stand in his holy place?
He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,
who desires not what is vain.
R.Lord, this is the people that long to see your face.
He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
a reward from God his saviour.
Such is the race that seeks for him,
that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.
R. Lord, this is the people that long to see your face.
Alleluia Ps 119:105
- Alleluia, alleluia.
A lamp to my feet is your word,
a light to my path.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Mk 4:21-25
Jesus said to his disciples,
“Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket
or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand?
For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible;
nothing is secret except to come to light.
Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear.”
He also told them, “Take care what you hear.
The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you,
and still, more will be given to you.
To the one who has, more will be given;
from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”
The gospel of today reminds us of the need to let our light shine. Our faith in God and experience of the Lord is never to be concealed. It is meant to be proclaimed, shared and celebrated.
How do we do this?
The first reading gives some practical ways. Let’s look at five ;
- Sincerity in heart:
We must be genuine, honest and true in our relationship with God and others. No hypocrisy. The gospel tells us that nothing is hidden before God.
- Being filled with faith:
In difficult times and experiences, let us hold onto the anchor of faith and assure ourselves that God is in charge. Faith and faithfulness to God in difficulty is a way of letting our light shine for others to see and learn.
- We should sprinkle, wash and free our minds from bad conscience:
That is, we must always take our hearts to “heart wash” where the blood of Jesus flows to cleanse us at the confessional. We must never allow sin to become part of us. Sin dims our spiritual light.
- We must keep firm in the hope we profess:
Never lose hope that with God, It is well with your soul, never lose hope that nothing is impossible for God, never lose hope of God’s promises of eternal reward for his faithful servants.
- Do not stay away from the meetings of the community:
God is everywhere truly but it is not an excuse to neglect the assembly of believers. Our faith is meant to be shared and to grow in a community of other believers. Each time you assemble with other believers to worship God, we are witnessing to the world about our faith and helping to brighten one another’s light.
Today, we celebrate St John Bosco, a priest through whose life, the light of God’s love shone to the youths to whom he dedicated his life and entire ministry. He eventually found the congregation called the Salesians to continue the work of training, evangelizing and giving pastoral care to the youth.
Through his prayers, may we become a means through which the light of Christ can shine in our broken and darkened world.
Sermon preached by Rev. Fr Emmanuel Okami on Thursday, January 31, 2019.