FRIDAY JANUARY 5, 2024
FRIDAY OF CHRISTMAS SEASON BEFORE EPIPHANY YEAR B
1 John 3:11-18
John 1:43-51
LIGHTENING THE FLAME OF FAITH IN OTHERS
The disciples of Jesus in John’s gospel seems to be passing the flame of faith about Jesus to one another. Today, the gospel narrative describes how Jesus found Phillip and Phillip found his brother Nathaniel and began telling him of Jesus as the one Moses wrote and spoke about. And he led Nathaniel to Jesus to witness for himself the Word made flesh.
The only inhibition that Nathaniel had was the place that Jesus came from, Nazareth. And he describes Nazareth as good for nothing, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” But that inhibition was conquered when he went for himself and experienced Jesus face to face.
Conversion and propagation of the faith is a necessary step that we have been called to promote. We must propagate the faith and make Christ known and loved. We must tell of him to others and pass on the flame of faith to others. But how often we do this matters. We must engage in doing this in our discussions, our interaction with people and our relationships.
Evangelization is not necessarily carrying the Bible and entering the streets. But could also be informal way of discussing and telling about one’s experiences and beliefs with the hope of calling people to the deeds and special needs of humanity especially our spiritual yearnings and longings. Such discussions as what one holds supreme in life, what one desires most in life and the essence of life with emphasis on the religious values of life and the place of Christ in our lives can be valuable to many souls.
These are engaging discussion, as casual as they may seem but can be very important for the salvation of others, or to help light the flame of faith of others. We must never shy away from discussing religion, our faith and our relationship with Jesus with others. This is informal way of lighting the flame of faith of straying Christians and even of those who have no faith at all.
And when we do this, by even inviting them to attend our church programmes, retreats, seminars, or introduce religious books of saints we read, joining societies that propagate faith and others, we draw people closer to Christ and allow the spirit of Christ to grow in them. This can be very valuable for many who needs just little light and push to attain to the Christian faith. Phillip teaches us this model of discussing our faith with friends and associates and lightening their flame of faith.
Heavenly Father, grant us the courage to always strive to bring Christ and talk of Christ like the apostle Phillip to our friends and associates. May we be bold and unhindered to discuss Christ, pass the faith and always to light the flame of faith to eager minds. Bless us with sincerity of purpose and loving hearts through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Fr Norbert Uchuno
