Testify to the light

FR. TOM'S HOMILY FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT, December 4, 2022:

Last week, as we began this journey of Advent, I spoke about the importance o light in our lives. As the days get darker, and the nights longer, we more and more recognize our need for light. Light is life. We need light for our physical and emotional well-being, and we also need it for our spiritual well-being. We are born with a need, a desire, to be enlightened by the light of Christ. Without Christ’s light, pride and anger, selfishness and greed and all kinds of dark things can dominate our hearts.

There is a beautiful thing that happens when we let the light of Christ into our hearts – we also become the light of Christ for others. Pope Francis spoke on this theme reflecting on Jesus call that we be the light of the world. He said, “It’s curious to note that light is for others, not for oneself: light does not illuminate itself. We must be the light that illuminates the world.” Christ is the light for our lives. But even more than that, our lives are to be light for others so that they move in God’s direction.

We have no better example of this illumination than the one presented to us in our Gospel today – St. John the Baptist. Scripture tells us, “There came a man who was sent by God; his name was John. He came to testify to the light.” All four Gospel’s tell us about John, and he is one of those Biblical characters that always help guide our journey during Advent. John is considered to be a transitional figure – the last of the Old Testament prophets heralding in at last the age of the Messiah; and he was a cousin of Jesus. But his lineage wasn’t his claim to fame. His mission was. The Gospel of Matthew tells, “John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!’”

What a strange way to begin your mission - in the desert wilderness. There were not a lot of people out there. But John begins preaching there. Why? There was powerful symbolism to his preaching there. By going to the wilderness John is rejecting the status quo; he’s not beginning where you think he would, like in the Temple. But the wilderness was also symbolic of John’s uncompromising service to God. And no one at the time would have failed to recognize the historic significance of John’s desert setting. Over and over again throughout the Scriptures, the wilderness is the place that God accomplishes his greatest work in people he intends to use. Abraham, Moses, David – in fact, Jesus Himself – all had desert experiences preparing them for the great work, the great impact they would eventually have.

Even more important than the place, was his message. John had a specific message to point people towards the light. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” Repent is a word often misunderstood and certainly overused. It sounds intolerant and judgmental. But, repentance is about change. Repent means a change of mind which leads to a change of heart that results in a change of direction. John challenges people to change their direction back to God because He is near.

Crowds of people came out to the middle of nowhere to hear John preach. He was incredibly popular. He was one of the most celebrated and well-known people of his generation. But, he used his popularity not for himself, but to point to Jesus. Where John lived, how he lived and what he had to say all worked together to point people to the light Christ.

In the same way everything in our lives are meant to do the same – we too are meant to point people to the light of Christ. It begins with where God has placed you. Wherever you are right now, God has not placed you there by accident. God has placed you wherever you are to be His light and to point others towards Him.

You are not where you are by accident – not the family you are part of, the church you go to, the place you work, the school you attend. God has put you there to be a light. So, it is important to see where God has placed you as an opportunity. I think about some of the early assignments I had as a priest. It took me a while to learn to be obedient to God. Early on, I never once wanted one of my assignments. I always thought I should remain where I was and could do so much more. I eventually came learn to trust the Lord because each assignment has been filled with blessings and encounters I never could have imagined. God always gives us opportunities to shine His light in unexpected ways.

Wherever you are, you are there to show people, point people, even convince people that Christ is the Light of the World. Like John, your life, the way you live, says something, maybe quite a lot, at least it should, about what you believe. Just as John had a unique message and manner and platform to point to the Lord, so do you. Like John, you have influence. Some people look up to you and value your opinion. It maybe because of your position, it may be because of your personality or humor.
Whatever influence you have God has given it to you to point people to His Son. Your life can take on a whole greater meaning when you look at the influence you have to bring people into a relationship with Christ. It will impact and influence your relationship with Him too.

So the question is how do we point others to Christ? First of all we have to recognize that is a priority. That means when we enter the spaces that are part of our daily life, we look to see how we can be a light. There are some simple things you can do to influence people around you. No matter who you are, what you are, where you are you can influence other people.

First, Smile. I know that sounds ridiculously simple and it is. When you smile at someone, what happens? They smile back. When they smile back that means you had an impact on them. They did something joyful because of you.
Second, Call people by name. Notice the good they’re doing. The sweetest sound to anyone is the sound of their own name. Recognition and encouragement of the good things we do are a close second.

Third, engage in small acts of service and kindness. Open the door for someone. Help someone carry something heavy. Offer your support on a project. Pick up someone’s check, tip extra generously.

Finally, invite someone to Church for Christmas. No one is ever insulted to be invited and many people are very much alone and lonely this time of year and would love to join us if they knew they were welcome.

​This world can often seem dark. The darkness can fill our minds and our hearts. But God’s invitation for us this Advent is to come out of the dark, and walk in his light. He invites us to walk in His ways, his peace, and His truth. There is no life without light and there is no light without God.

My friends, we are luminous beings and God has placed us where we are to shine His light to those around us. Let us testify to the light through our lives.

May the Lord give you His light and His peace.

*This homily is based on the preaching series, "Let there Be Light" from Rebuilt Parish.

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