(Jon 3:1-5,10; Ps 25; 1Cor 7:29-31; Mk 1:14-20). Please go through all the readings before the homily. Prepared by Rev.Fr.Pascal Mwakio, Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa.
N.B
Sunday of the Word
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
This is the fifth Sunday of the Word since the inception by Pope Francis in 2020. This week 18th-25th January we mark the week of prayer for Christian Unity. "Remain in my word (Jn 8:31)." The word of God keeps us united with him. This word is alive and active (cf Heb 4:12) not limited to any book or text. Once this word hits our minds and heart it guides us in the way of the Lord.
Unfortunately some people have taken advantage of the word of God for their own benefit. They do this by misinterpreting it to others. Some have decided to ignore God's word and follow their own word. God speaks to us through his son who was born of a woman in this world. This means the word of God although written (bible) under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, cannot be free from human touch, experience and comprehension. We need to pray before reading the word of God so that the Holy Spirit may make us understand what the word intends. This has been my personal experience on a weekly basis as I prepare this homily. I put down in writing or preach what has been inspired to me in the word. In the Old Testament the word of God was communicated to the prophets like in Jonah's case. This word has power which compels us to act despite resistance in some cases. Once God has identified us to be his messengers, we have to carry out this mission no matter what.
For those who receive the word of God in faith, the outcome is visible. "When the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast and all of them, great and small, put on sackcloth. When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way" he withdrew his punishment.
The human heart can harden or rebel from the word of God. This is due to lack of understanding. The intention of God is always good. "Good and upright is the Lord; thus he shows sinners the way." How do we realize we are sinners and have wronged God or the neighbor? It is through the word of God. The Psalm captures this: "Your ways, O Lord, make known to me; teach me your paths, Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior." With the word of God constant in our lives, every moment is a moment of repentance and of abiding in his word. The other liturgical seasons will come in to stress a reality we already practice in our daily lives. The more we listen to the word of God, the more we become familiar with it and allow it to guide and nourish us. There are many possibilities in the social media posting the word for us. Let us be kind enough to listen or read it at least once in a day.
The word of God is the compass of our life. Through it we discover our calling and vocation. In the Gospel we see how the word transforms Andrew and Simon's career. "Jesus said to them, Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men. Then they abandoned their nets and followed him." Once we discover Jesus in his word, whatever work we do can be transformed for the purpose of the kingdom of God. This is a call to those already in the ministry of the word to reflect if this is serving the purpose for which God intends. The word of God is superior to our careers and vocation because it is the origin of all. In the fulfillment of the word, only the word makes sense. No wonder Saint Paul tells us in the second reading what to expect in the end of time.
"Those having wives act as not having them, those weeping as not weeping, those rejoicing as not rejoicing, those buying as not owning, those using the world as not using it fully." When the word calls, we cannot resist or reject Christ. At that time it is only the word which matters. The word of God this week calls us to pray for the unity of all Christians. The theme is "You shall love the Lord your God...and your neighbour as yourself." There is no mentioning of denominations or churches in this commandment (word). No where does it say you shall love your neigbhour who is Anglican, Evangelical, Protestant, SDA, Jehova witness, PCEA etc. A neigbhour to be loved has no attachment to a church, sect, cult or denomination.
All Christians apart from believing and worshipping the same God, are united in their belief in Jesus Christ. What a scandal when we don't love each other! If only we preached love and lived love, there wouldn't be need for all the mushrooming churches opposing each other.
Our common identity is in the love of God. This is expressed to the neighbor in equal measure. This is the true ecumenism. All the other differences in terms of doctrine and liturgy (vestments, prayers, preaching, worshipping etc) are not superior to the command of love. Apart from praying for Christian unity, let us strive to live this word of love. Let us not criticize those who are not of our faith or church. Let us also not make others abandon our churches for lack of love towards God and neighbour.