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 2nd Sunday, Year A: Homily by Fr. Isaac Chima

Theme: Two Beautiful Ways to Bring Friends to Christ

Readings: Is 49:3, 5–6; 1 Cor 1:1–3; Jn 1:29–34

Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, the Church gives us an important mission this week, one that ought to guide our steps throughout the year. On the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, we were reminded that through our own baptism we have taken up the mission of Christ and are called to reflect His light to the world. This Sunday, through the example of John the Baptist and the teaching of St Paul to the Corinthians, the Church again reminds us of our mission: to carry the light of Christ to others and to bring people to Christ.

In the first reading, the Church presents the Suffering Servant of God from the prophecy of Isaiah. His mission was to bring back the scattered children of Israel to God. Chosen from birth, he was commissioned to be a light that would draw the exiled children of Israel back to the Lord. In the same way, God has chosen us from the moment of our conception and has commissioned us through baptism to bring back to Him friends who have wandered into the world of sin, friends who do not yet know the saving grace of Christ, and friends who have been confused or misled by the world’s false teachings.

But how do we fulfil this mission of bringing our friends to Christ? The second reading and the Gospel offer us two beautiful ways: announcing Christ to our friends and living a holy life among them.

In today’s Gospel, John the Baptist announced Christ to his audience. When he saw Jesus, he proclaimed, “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” Jesus had come to His people, yet many did not recognize Him as the Christ. John, therefore, took it upon himself to introduce Jesus to the people by bearing witness to Him. He was standing with his own disciples, but the moment he saw Jesus, he pointed Him out as the Christ—the one who would free them from sin and darkness. The verses following today’s passage tell us that two of John’s disciples immediately began to follow Jesus.

Dear friends, Jesus has come to us, yet many of our friends still do not recognize Him. Many do not know who He truly is. Our mission this week—and this year—is to do what John did: introduce Jesus to our friends, speak to them about His teachings, share His mercy, and remind them of His desire to rescue them from the distant lands where they have wandered. We must find the right moments and the right ways to share the Word of God. And we should not fear that speaking about Christ will offend them, for the Word of God has the power to soften even the hardest heart. Do not be afraid to proclaim the Word—its effect may surprise you.

In the second reading, St Paul gives us another essential way to bring Christ to others, one that complements our spoken witness. This is the way of living a holy life before our friends. If our lifestyle contradicts the message we proclaim, our friends will not be convinced by our words.

St Paul was writing to Christians in Corinth, a city known for immorality. These Christians, like us, were called to announce Christ to their friends in that sinful environment. Paul reminded them that their mission also includes living as saints—living holy lives. The most effective way to convert others is by living an exemplary life, by embodying daily the message we proclaim. This does not require extraordinary deeds, but rather doing ordinary things in an extraordinary way.

Our mission to announce Christ includes living a life worthy of imitation—a life that communicates the Gospel without words. If we preach peace, we must give peace. If we preach holiness, we must live holy lives. If we preach love, we must show love. If we preach charity, we must be charitable. If we preach truthfulness, we must speak the truth. If we preach mercy, we must show mercy.

We must not allow ourselves to be corrupted by the sinful environment we are called to evangelize. We must not sow doubt between our message and our lifestyle.

In summary, with the examples of John the Baptist in the Gospel and St Paul in the second reading, the Church reminds us that we have a mission: to announce Christ to our friends and to live lives that do not contradict the message we bear.

As we celebrate this Mass, let us open our hearts to this mission and pray with the psalmist: “Behold, Lord, I have come to do your will.”

Peace be with you.

Rev. Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima