ONE MILLION REASONS TO HELP OTHERS (5th Sunday in Ordinary Time | Year A)

Описание: Our Gospel passage today is a continuation of one of Jesus’ most powerful sermons. Last Sunday, we heard the first part of this moving sermon, the Beatitudes. Today, Jesus tells us that it is enough to say we are children of God; we must let our light shine, that is, we must show good examples.

One way we let our light shine is by loving the God we see in our neighbours. St. John tells us: “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.” (1 John 4:20).

Going further, one may ask: “How do I love brothers and sisters?” This is where our first reading today comes in. Isaiah admonishes us; the kind of fasting that makes sense in God’s presence is sharing our bread with the hungry, housing the homeless, clothing the naked, in short, helping all those in need of our help. Of course, you cannot like everyone on earth, but today we shall be looking at one million reasons to help everyone who comes your way.

1. In Helping Others, We Taste like Salt and Shine as Lights
The key to being ‘the salt of the earth’ and ‘the light of the world’ is showing love to those who need it most: the hungry, the homeless, the naked, the sick, the prisoners and so on. Although Isaiah’s list is not exhaustive, he basically draws our attention to the Seven Corporal Works of Mercy, which are: _Feeding the Hungry, Giving Drink to the Thirsty, Sheltering the Homeless, Clothing the Naked, Visiting the Sick, Visiting the Prisoners, and Burying the Dead_.

As salt makes soup sweet, so do our acts of charity make the world sweet and bearable. With our situation in Nigeria now, the rate of depression and suicide has skyrocketed. A little kindness, a smile, a word of appreciation, or even a simple hug can be all someone needs to keep living.

2. Even when Nobody Appreciates It, Be Kind for God’s Sake
If you are kind, if you help others, if you perform the corporal works of mercy, bear in mind that people may not appreciate you or even reciprocate your good acts. I have had many occasions where my kindness was used against me by those I sincerely wanted to help. It happens. It is the nature of the human species – we are always trying to take advantage of those we perceive to be kind.

Should this make you decide not to help anyone again? No. Continue letting your light shine, but never forget that whatever you are doing is for the sake of God. If, in all honesty, you do not intend to do it for God, then don’t do it at all. We live in a country where people pretend to be kind and generous, but their external acts of benevolence are laden with hidden agendas.

3. Actions Speak Louder than Words
In our second reading today, St. Paul confesses that the success of his pastoral ministry was not due to his academic degrees, nor to his ability to use grandiose vocabulary, nor even to his repertoire of philosophical sayings (words of wisdom). Instead, it was due to his demonstration of the Spirit and of power. In truth, the best homilies are not preached with words but with actions. The world is tired of preachers; it only listens to doers.

4. Charity Covers A Multitude of Sins, Brings Healing, Answers Prayers
Each time we pray, we approach God as beggars. To receive from God, it is only right that we give to those who beg from us. Jesus explicitly warned that our refusal to forgive others blocks God’s forgiveness, implying that our refusal to give to others blocks us from receiving what is in God’s power to render to us. The only things that remain ours permanently are those things we give away. Help someone, put a smile on their face, and lift someone’s life today. It might be your turn tomorrow.

5. The Best Kind of Giving is Fighting Injustice
We need to understand that charity without justice is like bathing someone’s body after removing the head. If you deprive a person of what is theirs only to go behind them and pretend to be generous with peanuts, you are just wasting your time.

Conclusion
Never think your problems are the biggest. We are all carrying various crosses. We need each other. No one is too poor that he has nothing to give, and no one is so rich that he does not need help. Look beyond your challenges, and listen to the cries all around you. Be a good Samaritan, don’t just pass by. Don’t just point fingers. Help someone.

Let us pray: Keep your family safe, O Lord, with unfailing care, that, relying solely on the hope of heavenly grace, they may be defended always by your protection. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu