Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, as we gather for Holy Mass on this Friday after the Epiphany, our readings remind us of the precious and life-giving truth found in our faith. In the First Letter of John, we hear the powerful assertion: "Who indeed is the victor over the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" Here, St. John invites us to reflect on the essence of our belief: that Jesus Christ, through His incarnation, His ministry, His suffering, death, and resurrection—has decisively triumphed over the challenges and tribulations of this world and whereas he is shunned by the latter, he is embraced wholeheartedly by we who believe, trust and follow him.
The Gnostics in the time of John, did not want to believe that it was God who died on the cross that blessed Good Friday afternoon at Golgotha. John insists in today’s letter that there were witnesses. He of course, from the testimony of the other gospel writers was one of them who stood beneath the cross with our Blessed Mother and a few others, like Saint Mary Magdalene and some other women. But John insists on the testimony of yet another. The testimony of the water and the Blood of Jesus which resonates deeply within the context of our faith. The water signifies baptism, a sacrament of initiation into the life of grace, while the Blood represents the sacrifice of the Cross, the ultimate expression of God's love for humanity, both the essential gateways into heaven, but both belonging to the one and only Son of God, and this is what the authors of the New Testament didn’t want to get wrong – Jesus is the Son of God, and of the same substance of the Father. Jesus Christ embodies the fullness of God’s revelation, so that once received, it becomes the source of our eternal life.
In today’s Gospel, we “witness” the healing of a leper, an outcast in society—someone who was deemed unclean and separated from the community. This act of Jesus stretching out His hand, touching the leper, displays God’s limitless mercy and compassion. This event reminds us not only of Jesus's power to heal physical ailments but also of His desire to restore relationships between individuals and the broader community. The leper’s plea, "If you wish, you can make me clean," reflects profound faith, aware of Jesus’s authority and compassionate will but also of his unique power to heal. There’s a lot happening around the world which needs Christ’s healing, particularly amid the oppression witnessed around the globe, and we can draw valuable lessons from today’s first reading and gospel: Firstly, in an age where various regimes promote ideologies that deny human dignity and the sanctity of life, we are called to remember that the ultimate victory belongs to those who believe in Jesus. Our faith offers a counter-narrative to the despair and division often orchestrated by those in power. In Christ, we always have hope.
Secondly, just as Jesus reached out to the leper, we too are called to respond to the suffering of victims of injustice, oppression, and despair. Our witness demands not merely words, but tangible actions that echo Christ's mercy.
Finally, we are called to testify with boldness. Let us remember the words of St. John: "Whoever does not possess the Son of God does not have life." Our task is to help others encounter Jesus, the source of true life.
As we leave today’s Holy Mass, having encountered the Lord with our brothers and sisters, let us remember that our faith is not a private matter—it's a light meant to illuminate the darkness of our world. May we embrace the call to be victorious in faith, compassionate in action, and courageous in our witness, allowing the truth of Jesus Christ to guide our path and inspire the hearts of others. Amen
Add comment
Comments