Second Sunday of Ordinary Time, A January 19, 2020
Fr. Albert St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette
“I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.” That’s it. That’s the whole point of John’s life, to see Jesus and testify to his true identity. So, when he declares this, he’s also saying that his life is fulfilled, that he has arrived and that he is ready for the end. Indeed, just next week we’ll see him get arrested which soon leads to his death. The week after that, we’ll see yet another man who’s life is fulfilled, who is ready to die because he too sees and testifies to Jesus’ true identity.
In one sense, that’s the simple answer to the question, “what’s the point of life?” To see and to testify to Jesus Christ, then to die and go to your reward. Simple, yet there are as many ways to do this as there are people who will ever exist. Simple, yet how many of us struggle regularly with that question: what’s the point? What do I do now? I mean, when we read of people like John the Baptist or Simeon, it’s easy to say “yeah, but they’re special. God clearly gave them a mission. But me? I’m a nobody.” Especially as people get towards the end of their ordinary lives, there is the temptation to look back and say “I did nothing special. Like most people, I had a few jobs, raised a few kids and when I die, most of the world won’t even notice. Just another ordinary life.”
Indeed, most of us will live ordinary lives and be basically forgotten in 100 years or so. Very few people in history have the kind of lasting fame of John the Baptist or someone like St. Paul. But you know what? That’s fine. Your ordinary life has can still fulfill that purpose to see and to testify that Jesus is the Son of God… the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
How can I say that? Look at what St. Paul calls us. The second reading is just the introduction to a very important letter by Paul to the Corinthians, but look at how it’s addressed. “the Church of God that is in Corinth… you who have been sanctified… called to be holy.” Now, can you name anyone from Corinth? How many hundreds or thousands of Christians from Corinth have died unknown? But Paul still call these people to be “holy.” The other way to translate that word is “saints.” He says that every person in the Church of Corinth… in every Church, is called to be a saint.
It’s true for you too. Throughout the letter, we learn that the Corinthians were far from perfect. Impurity, greed, selfishness, chaotic… these are just a few of the faults that Paul is trying to correct. Even more interesting is the kind of advice Paul gives. He doesn’t call them to dramatic public deeds. He doesn’t give them secret missions of extraordinary holiness. He calls them to live their ordinary lives in a new way. To live ordinary lives “in Christ.”
He reminds them of their connection to Christ, that they have seen Jesus active in the Church. He writes to reveal Jesus to them, to show them a clearer view of who Jesus is. He challenges them to avoid sin so that they can testify, so that others can see that Jesus is the Lamb of God and the Son of God. This letter, though it was originally addressed to the Corinthians, is meant for all Catholics… all those called to be saints.
So do not despair, do not think that your ordinary life is without meaning. Do not fret if you find yourself alone and without much money or influence. Do not worry if you can’t point to some dramatic moment where you showed the world the truth about Jesus. You are still called to be a saint. The ordinary life of holiness is one reason we call the season we’re in “ordinary time.” It’s not ordinary in the sense of unimportant or boring. It’s ordinary in the sense of regular, ordered, directed to something… rather to someone.
If you’re wondering what the point of your life is, come back to that basic mission of John the Baptist. To see and to testify. How have you “seen” Jesus in the day to day of a job and raising a family? Seeing him in the sacraments, in prayer, in both the joyful and sorrowful moments of your life? How have testified to his identity in the way you raised your children? In the honesty or virtue you brought to your job? In your willingness to be seen and known as a practicing Catholic when it means defending unpopular truths?
Perhaps the answer to those questions is “not a whole lot.” Perhaps you look back at your life and say, “I’m not sure my life is any different from someone who doesn’t even know Jesus.” If that’s the case, don’t be afraid to own up to that, to be convicted by the Holy Spirit that yes, you did fall short in your mission. But do not despair! Your life is not over, and neither is your chance to have a life of meaning. Start now.
“What can we do?” See and testify. Stop looking at the world. Stop looking at the crises and disasters. Stop looking at your faults and failures, your insignificance and unimportance. Look at Jesus. Even though you’ve seen it a thousand times before, take a fresh look at his presence in the Eucharist. When you have time and don’t know what’s worth doing, pray. Go to adoration. Read the bible. Even if you don’t understand it, simply reading scripture is meaningful. Think about how parents look at their children with love even though they don’t always understand them. Is that look wasted? That Love? Neither is your time wasted by looking for Christ in the scriptures even when you don’t understand. The Rosary is a guided meditation on Scripture, a chance to see Jesus through the eyes of Mary? For all the public work I do, I doubt I accomplish as much as the stereotypical old man or woman who prays rosaries all day. There is real power in that kind of quite prayer.
And then, testify. Talk to people about how you see Jesus. Don’t talk about what’s wrong with the world. Talk about the fact that Jesus is there despite it all. Don’t nag friends and family, but don’t be afraid to say “I believe Jesus and his Church” when people have questions or make fun. You don’t have to be John the Baptist. Say to God “Here I am, I come to do your will.” Then do it, one ordinary day at a time.