Dear Sisters
and Brothers in Christ, Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you!
We stand at
the threshold of the end of the first month of this new year. Time moves
swiftly, and with each passing day, we are reminded of the brevity of life and
the urgency of our calling as disciples of Christ. A month ago, many of us
welcomed the new year with hope, resolutions, and a desire for renewal,
both spiritually and personally. But as the days unfold, it is easy to slip
back into old routines, to grow weary, or to lose sight of the fire that burned
in our hearts at the start.
The Word of
God today come as a timely reminder and encouragement. Where are we in
our journey of faith? Are we holding fast to the hope we profess? Is the light
of Christ still burning brightly in us, or have we hidden it under a bushel? God’s
word invites us to embrace the profound privilege of our faith while also
reminding us of our responsibility to be bearers of light.
Renewed Access to the Presence of God
(Hebrews 10:19-25)
The Letter to the
Hebrews calls us to confidence in our walk with Christ. We are reminded that,
through His sacrifice, the blood Jesus shed on the Cross, the
veil has been torn, and we can draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance
of faith. As we reflect on the first month of this year, this
passage invites us to renew our trust in God’s faithfulness. Perhaps the first
few weeks of the year have been marked by challenges, disappointments, or even
a weakening of our initial zeal. But the Word of God urges us:
"Let us hold
unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful." (Heb
10:23) This is not a time to let our faith grow cold. Rather, it is a time to encourage
one another, stir up love, and remain steadfast. The beginning of a new year
should not just be about personal resolutions, it should also be a time to
deepen our faith, to strengthen our relationships with God and with one
another, and to grow in love and good works.
This is a call to confidence rooted
in the redeeming work of Christ. we come boldly because our hearts have been
cleansed, and we have been washed in the pure water of His grace. But
this confidence is not merely for personal comfort. It demands perseverance, a
commitment to holding fast to the hope we profess. The world may shake us,
trials may arise, but we are called to remain steadfast in faith.
Moreover,
faith is not lived in isolation. The author of Hebrews reminds us that we must encourage
one another, stir one another to love and good works, and not neglect meeting
together. In times of spiritual dryness or discouragement, we are called to
lift each other up, reminding one another that the Day of the Lord is drawing
near.
The
Light that Must Shine (Mark 4:21-25)
Jesus, in the
Gospel of Mark, gives us a simple image: "Do you bring in a lamp to put
it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand?"
This question
is both rhetorical and revelatory. The purpose of a lamp is to give light, not
to be hidden. And what is this lamp? It is Christ Himself, the Light of the
world, shining in our hearts. It is also the faith we have received, which is
not meant to be buried but displayed for the world to see.
How
does today’s Gospel relate to where we stand today, at the end of the first
month of the year? Many start the year with a renewed spiritual commitment, but
over time, they may find themselves retreating into comfort zones, hiding the
fire of faith, and allowing the pressures of life to dim their light.
Jesus also
adds a sobering truth: "With the measure you use, it will be measured
to you, and even more." This speaks of spiritual receptivity. If we
receive God's light with an open heart, we will be given more clarity, more
grace, more understanding. But if we refuse to share what we have received,
even the little we have will fade. Faith grows when it is lived and shared.
Living Out
the Call: A Faith that Shines and Encourages
So, how do
these readings speak to our lives? We are called to confidence in Christ
(Heb 10:19-22), and this confidence must reflect in how we live. We must hold firmly
to our hope (Heb 10:23), and this hope must become a light that shines
for others to see (Mk 4:21). We must stir up one another to love and
good deeds (Heb 10:24), and part of this love is ensuring that the light of
truth is not hidden (Mk 4:22). We must not neglect meeting together (Heb
10:25), for our faith is strengthened in community, and together, we shine
brighter.
This is our
mission: To hold fast to the faith we profess
and to let the light of Christ shine through our lives. Our mission today: approach
God with faith, hold fast to our hope in Christ especially in difficult times,
encourage others, walk together as disciples of Jesus and let the light of
Christ shine in our words, actions, and witness.
Beloved in
Christ, do not let the fire go out! Let this be the time when our faith
deepens, our light shines brighter, and our confidence in God’s faithfulness
grows stronger.
For the One
who called us is faithful, and the measure we use will be measured back to us. Let us, therefore, go forth with confidence, perseverance, and
light! Amen.🙏🙏🙏
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