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January 16, 2023Abu Dhabi.
Below is the full text of the homily delivered by Bishop Paolo Martinelli at St. Joseph's Cathedral, Abu Dhabi for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time.
The Christmas season ended, making us live once again the joy of the birth of Jesus, the God with us. We are now in liturgical time during the year. The word of God offered to us this Sunday tells us about the beginnings of Jesus' public life. That child born to us in the cave of Bethlehem is now presented to us as a man who begins his mission publicly. In this way, we are called to recognize who Jesus is, his identity, and his mission for the world.
At the center of everything, we find the testimony of John the Baptist. He recounts what he saw on meeting Jesus. He saw the Holy Spirit descend upon him and remain upon him. In this way, John the Baptist recognizes Jesus as the Messiah, the one who, from eternity, was chosen by the Heavenly Father to bring salvation into the world.
In the words of John the Baptist, we find the prophecy of Isaiah that we heard in the first reading: It is not enough for you to be my servant, to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back the survivors of Israel; I will make you the light of the nations so that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.
The ancient prophecy of Isaiah was truly fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth. He is sent for the salvation not only of the people but for all. This salvation must reach the ends of the earth.
Therefore, Jesus is not simply a prophet among many other prophets but He is the fulfilment of all prophecies. Jesus is not only a bearer of the word of God, but he is the Word of God made flesh.
Jesus is not only a bearer of the Spirit, but he is also the giver of the Holy Spirit: the crucified and risen Jesus will give the Holy Spirit to the Church so that the mission of Jesus continues among his disciples. For this reason, in his letter to the Corinthians, Saint Paul presents himself as an apostle chosen by God who addresses believers, called to be saints.
John the Baptist sees his mission accomplished in bearing witness to Jesus before the world. He exclaims “I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”
He had been sent to prepare the way for Jesus. Now he recognizes that their waiting is now fulfilled.
From John the Baptist, we learn that we are called to be witnesses. He gives us an example of what it means to bear witness to Jesus.
As we have heard in the Gospel, John the Baptist does not put himself or any of his programs at the center. He is not concerned with his success. His whole mission lies in meeting Jesus, recognizing that he is the Son of God and our redeemer, and thus indicating to everyone his presence in the world.
This is also the mission of the Church. This is our mission as Christians. We, too, have the task of recognizing Jesus’ presence in our lives and testifying Him before the world. We must never be ashamed of testifying Jesus to the world. We must be happy to be Christians. It is a great joy to have the gift of Christian faith.
We know that Jesus makes himself present in the Eucharist and the word of God, proclaimed by the Church.
He is among us whenever we are united in his name: where two or three are gathered in my name, I am among them, says the Lord.
Jesus makes himself present in the poor and needy.
How can we communicate to others that Jesus is present in the world and He is the Saviour of the whole world?
We can do this by practicing a different lifestyle. Whoever meets Jesus and lets the Gospel change his life becomes a witness of Jesus in the world.
The most marvelous testimony is realized in the brotherly love that we can live together and in the joy that shines on the faces of believers as they experience being forgiven and saved.
May the Virgin Mary intercede for us because we know how to tell with our lives that Jesus is indeed the Son of God who came into the world for the salvation of all.