Holiness Arises in the Heart!

Sermon by Fr. Joseph Mungai

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Feb. 11, 2017

St Mary of the Pines Catholic Church, Shreveport, LA, U.S.A.

Fr. Joe is on leave from his parish in Kenya, St. John the Apostle Awasi Catholic Church, Kisumu Archdiocese.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

You all know people with a decent reputation. They are respectful of others and law abiding. We also know some who with a good reputation turn out to be different than we

thought. Some bring terrible hurt and inflict real damage. As the old saying goes, appearances are deceiving. Looking good does not mean that our hearts are filled with goodness.

The first reading today (Sirach 15:15-20) tells us this: “If you trust in God, you too shall live.” The gift of wisdom comes from God and that wisdom is practical knowledge of how to live

well in all relationships, learned from generations of experience and reflection on life with God and one another.

In the second reading, (1 Cor 2:6-10), Saint Paul tells us: “We speak a wisdom to those who are mature.” Because our wisdom originates --not from human reason  -- but from the eternal, hidden plan of God, rulers of the present age cannot know it. It can only be grasped through divine disclosure. God's character and plan are revealed in Christ's passage through the humiliation and agony of the Cross to the Resurrection. 

This wisdom is the spiritual eye that can see the effects of God's love and saving power working in us through Christ's redemption. We are called to use it. A blind man slowly turned around the corner of a street feeling his way

with his white cane. A young man coming from the opposite direction collided with him. "Why don't you look where you are going?" barked the hurried young man. The blind man gently replied, "Why don't you go where you are looking?" Many times we fail to use the  eye of Wisdom God has given to us.

In our Gospel (Mt 5:17-37), today, Jesus wants us to use that "spiritual eye." He wants us to see the world through His glasses. He reminds us that it is not external behavior that determines everything, but what is more important is what is happening in our hearts.

Matthew's Gospel was written primarily for Christians who were grounded in the scripture and traditions of the ancient Hebrews--or simply Christians who had first been Jews. The gospel also focused on Jews who were considering becoming Christians as well as all who wanted to learn more about this New Way as our faith was first called.

Matthew's Gospel has numerous references to the Torah, the most important part of the Hebrew Scripture. The Torah is the first five books of the Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. In Matthew, there are five main talks or discourses of the Lord modeled on the five books of the Law or the Torah. The first main discourse of the Law is the most important--the Sermon on the Mount, part of which is in today's gospel reading. Just as Moses went up Mount Sinai to bring the Ten Commandments, God's Law to the people, Jesus climbs the mountain of the Beatitudes to present the New Law to the people.

With this in mind, we can understand Jesus's opening remarks in today's gospel: "I came not to abolish the law and the prophets, but to fulfill them." In the Lord's eyes, the Hebrew Scripture is not only valid, but it holds a place of greater reverence than ever before. But merely fulfilling the precepts of the ancient law was not enough. The attitudes and lifestyles of the Christian must reflect living the law.

When he introduced the New Law of the Kingdom of God Jesus said something that was absolutely shocking. He said that the holiness of the people had to surpass that of

the scribes and the Pharisees. How could anyone be holier than the Pharisees? The pharisees were referred as "Perushim" [separated ones]. They strictly observed the Torah and hence they refused to mix with those who didn't observe torah vigorously.  

The Pharisees dressed wearing numerous images of their religion--including phylacteries, or miniature lists of the ten commandments. These hung from their headbands so whenever they turned their

Phylactery on his forehead, miniature 10 Commandments

head they would fulfill the law: keep these commandments always before your eyes.

They fasted. They said loud prayers for all to hear. But Jesus said that his followers had to be holier than these Pharisees. How could that be possible? Well, Jesus explains, our external actions must be a reflection of what we are really like in our hearts. If what we do is not a reflection of who we are, then we are hypocrites. Hypocrite, that’s the word that Jesus uses over and over to describe the Pharisees. 

To demonstrate his point, Jesus contrasts the written law of the Torah with the new attitude of the Kingdom that must motivate this law. For example Jesus says, "You have heard it said that murder is wrong, but harboring hatred is also wrong even if you don't physically kill someone."  Why? Because murder is conceived by hatred. The person who hates but does not murder is not a good person. He is just a person who has followed the social norms perhaps to avoid punishment. It is the same with all the laws and rules of the New Kingdom. The Lord's point is that following the law demands living the lifestyle that gives rise to the law. Living the life of the Lord

motivates the Christian rather than the minimal performance of the law.

It is important that we convey this message to our children. I know how adamant you all are to provide the best for your children. I and all your priests are edified by your efforts to be the best parents you can be. I want to re-enforce those efforts that I know you are making to have your children understand the motivation for their actions. Consider asking the children "why" a particular action is good or bad. For example, "I saw you playing with your cousin today and sharing your toys with him or her. That was very good. Do you know why?" Hopefully, your child will answer, "Because people are more important than our stuff." 

Maybe we need to do the same thing for ourselves. For example, "I am here in Church. This is good. Why?"  This is because I belong to God and He belongs to me. I need this intimate union with Him in the reading of Scripture and partaking of the Eucharist at least once a week. Or, "I really lost it with my spouse or my kids. This is bad. Why?"  It's not just because anger is bad, but I sinned against the love that animates our family, the Love of God."

You see, it is not in the action itself but it is in the motivation behind the action where the person's true identity is found and formed. We are called to take upon ourselves the very identity of Jesus Christ. We are called to be selfless givers. We are called to be eternal lovers of the Father. We are called to rejoice in His presence in our families. We are not called to be minimalists in the faith. We are called to develop the facility of finding meaning in the laws that God gave us so that our external actions might truly be a reflection of our internal attitudes.

So, is it easier to be a modern Christian than an ancient Jew? Absolutely not. Christianity is extremely demanding upon us all because it calls us to be 100% committed to living in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.When we make efforts to be wholesome and sincere, then our holiness will surpass even that of the scribes and Pharisees.

God gave us the tremendous gift of freely choosing. Love isn’t truly love unless it is freely given – and freely received.  God has paid us a tremendous compliment in that He respects our decisions. He offers and then He waits for our response. His love for us is unconditional. His only law is love, a love within us that governs our choices and the actions that flow from our choices.

Matthew’s Gospel repeats the same lesson: doing good actions that look good in the eyes

of the world and yet do not contain our complete commitment to Him is not enough: “Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’” We cannot fool God. God wants us to give ourselves completely to Him. He will give Himself to us beyond all that we can imagine!

What Hinders the Spread of Christianity? Christians

Sermon by Fr. Joseph Mungai

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Feb. 5, 2017

St Mary of the Pines and Sacred Heart of Jesus Mission Church, Shreveport, LA, U.S.A.

Fr. Joe is on leave from his parish in Kenya, St. John the Apostle Awasi Catholic Church, Kisumu Archdiocese.

He asks for our prayers for his people who are experiencing hunger due to drought.

What is the greatest hindrance to Christianity in our country? 

This is a question that is bound to elicit a variety of answers depending on whom you ask. Possible answers would include: the mass media, popular culture, materialism, bad government policies, other religions, etc. A missionary had the occasion to put this very question to the great Mahatma Gandhi, “What is the greatest hindrance to Christianity in India?” 

His answer was swift and decisive: “Christians.” These are not committed Christians, but those who talk and behave in a manner that has nothing to do with Jesus Christ. 

Before the days of widespread high blood pressure, salt was regarded as a great good. It was salt that preserved food and kept it from spoiling. Salt was traded by caravans just as people traded gems and gold.

Jesus called His disciples  the salt of the earth -- we are essential to the world. We carry in us Christ's life sacrificed for all  mankind. He also identifies as as the light of the world. 

A mother and her small child once drove past the restored home of Abraham Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois. It was night and the

President Lincoln's home in Springfield, Illinois

national shrine of the United States was brightly lit. "Look, mama," said the child excitedly, "Mr Lincoln left his lights on." The mother smiled, "Yes", she replied, "He left them on for the whole world to see." 

Although Lincoln has been dead since 1865, he is still a tremendous inspiration to everyone. But Christ Himself -- in a even greater sense -- remains the shining beacon for all people of all times. He is "Light from Light,  true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father." (Catechism of the Catholic Church)  Christ has shared with us His Light during baptism and He asks us to become His Light to the world.

In today’s gospel Jesus says to his disciples, “You are the light of the world” (Matt 5:14). But elsewhere in John 8:12 Jesus says of Himself, “I am the light of the world.” Who then is the light of the world, Jesus or His followers? Jesus Christ is the Light of the World. We are nothing without Christ. To the degree you participate in Christ's life, you too become light to the world. 

The Christian in the world today is called to be salt and light. Now what do these mean? We are asked to be salt to our world because of Christ dwelling in us,  preserving it from spoiling because of greed, injustice and lust, preserving it from decaying because of dishonesty, disloyalty and disrespect. We are called to be salt to the world transforming it through Christian values such as chastity, human rights and decency. We are urged to be the light of the world illuminating our homes, parishes, nations with charity, truth,  peace along the way shown by Christ. 

As salt we are called to be sweet disciples, friendly and kind, living peacefully with everyone. As light, we are called to lead others to Christ. Without light, we bump into each another and fall into the ditch. But light says: “Here is the road, take it; here is danger, avoid it.” Our duty is to sanctify the world. 

But how do we do that? Take the path of salt and light. Salt must make the food taste better. If salt loses its taste then it is useless and can no longer make a difference. Light must dispel darkness. A flashlight with dead batteries helps no one in the dark.   If believers have nothing that distinguishes them from unbelievers, then they are like salt that has lost its saltiness and therefore cannot make a difference. And what distinguishes us from non-believers  but the life we live. As Jesus says in John 13:35, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Love is the distinctive mark by which you can tell the true Christian from the false.

Secondly, both salt and light operate by associating with the thing that they want to change. Salt cannot improve the food unless it goes into the food and changes it from within. Light cannot show the way unless it encounters the darkness. Sometimes Christians think that the way to go is to keep away from getting involved with society. But if we do that, we are hiding our lamp under the bushel basket. To make a difference we must get up and get involved.

Disciples of salt and light must meet the particular needs of our time. Save the world from corruption. Dispel the darkness of

division and injustice. See the needs of the hungry, naked and homeless. Come to their assistance. The Lord's appeal in our first reading "Share your bread with the hungry and shelter the homeless and clothe the naked." (Isaiah 58:7) still resounds today and it resounds louder than ever. 

In Kenya, this need is much felt especially in the North. I was impressed when I heard that people are donating through Red Cross to feed my vulnerable people. Nakedness can obviously be taken literally in terms of those without adequate clothing, but it has a wider meaning. The naked are those whose human dignity is denied, who stand before the rest of  humanity without protection, power or hope. It is therefore the responsibility of the Christian to recognise the dignity of each person, regardless of race, colour, tribe, religion or nationality.

Brethren, we will be called to make sacrifices and even face opposition from those who prefer to live in darkness and refuse to approach the light. St. Paul found success

only through the power of the Holy Spirit. "I did this," he wrote, "so that your faith should not depend on human philosophy, but on the power of God." (1 Cor 2:5). 

Set Your Light on a Hill and Draw Others to God

Sermon by Rev. John Paul Shea

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Feb. 5, 2017

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Tucson, AZ

In today’s Gospel (Matt 5:13-16), Our Lord Jesus describes the mission of His disciples by using the metaphors of salt and light. 

As we reflect on the images that our Lord gives to us, let us open our hearts to the Holy Spirit so that we can hear Our Lord’s call to be His witnesses to the world! 

"You are the salt of the earth.” We all know that salt is a precious commodity. In fact, in

ancient times salt was considered one of the most precious and costly of all commodities. Wars were fought both to protect and exploit salt deposits deep in the earth. 

Although salt is a commodity, salt really does not have much value in itself. It is valuable for what it does and how it affects other things. For example, in Jesus’ times salt was used to season and preserve meat. Along with preserving meat, salt is used to preserve and enhance the taste of food. 

Therefore, as Christians, we are to be like salt -- passionate about the faith we have been given. We are to preserve and enhance it and bring God’s love and truth to others.

In His metaphor of salt, Our Lord Jesus also warns us: “But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” 

My brothers and sisters, we have been given the Truth! Therefore, we are called to be on fire for our faith! 

If we throw our faith away and live for the world, then we are worse off than if we had never received the faith in the first place. For, nothing can be worse than allowing our faith to be stagnant and not grow.

In fact, in the Book of Revelation Our Lord warned He will be particularly stern with those who do nothing with the faith they have been given. “I know your works. I know that you are neither cold nor hot. So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out my mouth." (Rev 3:15-16) 

Jesus also uses the metaphor of light in today's Gospel. “You are the light of the world.”

My brothers and sisters, we are called to enlighten the world through the bold proclamation of the Gospel. Nothing about the challenges of the Gospel should remain hidden. The truths of our faith are to be fully exposed as bright as a light placed on a lampstand in a dark room!

Our Lord says also that we are to be a city on a hill. Our Lord says, “A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a

lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house.” In these words our Lord is not talking about a city such as San Francisco or New York or Paris. No! Our Lord is talking about our Church! 

In ancient times, a city on a hill was a point of navigation. Travelers would see the light to be guided toward their final destination.

Therefore, our Church is to lead the world in the right direction.This is why we have doctrines, unchangeable teachings that will lead others into the fullness of Truth. 

Our society is built on sand, and as such it will collapse. Yet, the Truths of our faith will remain forever.

The bottom line is that Christians are called to be vibrant witnesses!  “[Our] light must shine before others, that they may see [our] good deeds and glorify [our] heavenly Father." 

Married couples are called to live their vocation of marriage as a witness of God’s plan for marriage. Single persons are called to glorify God by living chastely. We are called to lead others into the Truth regardless of whether or not they like what we represent! 

Today we are living in dark times. We are living in faithless times. Many are caught up in this world of sin and have lost sight of the road to eternal salvation. Many are unaware of the reality of eternal judgment. The gate of sin has opened wide. 

Therefore, brothers and sisters, be God's witnesses. Become His salt. Set your light on a hill so that many will be drawn to know and love God. May God bless us in this endeavour.