Caritas Sri Lanka - SEDEC

Introduction
The anointing of David as king is a type of Christ's baptism, which is his call to take up his mission as light of the world, and of the baptism of the believers, who receive the illumination of the Spirit (R.H. Fuller). Looking into the perennial problem of suffering and a sense of darkness in the world, Pope Benedict XVI says “Suffering in the world is part of human existence and it stems from our finitude as well as from the mass of sin accumulated in the course of history. Though we cannot eliminate sufferings, we can and should try to limit them. A society that does not accept and support its suffering members is a cruel and inhuman society” (Spe Salvi, 36-39). The ignorance of God is the source of human suffering and human beings must get rid of this ignorance. Turning to God opens the way to live in hope and good expectations.

1st Reading: 1 Samuel 16, 1b,6-7,10-13a
The origin of anointing was from a practice of shepherds. Lice and other insects would often get into the wool of sheep, and when they got near the sheep's head, they could burrow into the sheep's ears and kill the sheep. So, ancient shepherds poured oil on the sheep's head. This made the wool slippery, making it impossible for insects to get near the sheep's ears because they would just slide off. From this, anointing became symbolic of blessing, protection, and empowerment. Anointing with oil was a common Biblical practice which continues today. In Bible times, a person was anointed for a special purpose to be a king, to be a prophet, to be a builder, etc… people were anointed with oil to signify God's blessing. God does not call the equipped; God equips the called.

2nd Reading: Ephesians 5, 8-14
This passage encourages the early Christians to wake up and find out what pleases God. It calls them, and us today, to avoid participating in things that we would be ashamed of if they were exposed in the light. Its tone is not of scolding but rather of passionate encouragement, wanting the best for each of us. Making wise choices are important. What temptations do we face in this regard? What choices do we need to make to please God and enjoy the fullness of life in the Spirit? “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy” (Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi).
Gospel Reading: John 9, 1-41
The Gospel of John creates a sharp distinction between light and darkness, good and evil. Those who follow Jesus will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. Light is a symbol of life, happiness, justice and liberation in Christ. Darkness is the symbol of death, disgrace, tears, and imprisonment. We need the light of Christ to live with wholeness and integrity. How do you transmit the light of Christ to those around you? Where in your life do you need the light of Christ? Give thanks to Jesus Christ for inviting you to share in the life of God.
Reflections:
An ordinary theme: it would be more advantageous to take the 2nd reading and the Gospel together. A catechesis based on contrasts once / now, darkness / light is very appropriate (2nd reading).The world is still millions of miles away from integral reconciliation and universal peace. The homilist must be careful to avoid the suggestion that total reconciliation and universal peace is a humanly realizable ideal. Rather, it is a picture of the kind of world that God will establish in God's own time. This does not mean, however, that the vision of reconciliation and universal peace is irrelevant to personal, social and political endeavour.

All human activity is open to the “pull of the future” and it is a human task to erect “advance signs” of the final realization. Although we do not see the reality all at once, there is no reason to become discouraged. When we look at the darkness that is all around and identify with the darkness (personal, social, political evil), it is almost impossible for us to have faith and hope that there will be light. Hope is at once both simple and profound. Hope is the bridge between heaven and earth. It is hope that makes us feel, at the beginning of our spiritual journey, that we can liberate ourselves from the meshes of ignorance (Gospel). There is light at the end of the tunnel. At the end of the darkness, there is light.

An extraordinary theme:
Combining the 1st reading and the Gospel, the homilist can exhort the congregation to live out the implication of their baptism. In the Old Testament, anointing was regarded as the visible sign that the person anointed, was being invested with the gifts of office, with the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God comes down to rest on him: “the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and fear of God” (Is 11,12). Baptism is an event of participating in the Paschal mystery of Jesus and of witnessing to Jesus, the light of the world. It is hope that makes us feel, at the beginning of our spiritual journey, that we are of God and that we are for God.

God hopes to manifest Himself in and through us. Human hope is desire-bound; hope divine is aspiration-free. Human hope inspires us and energizes us. Hope divine awakens in us not only infinite possibilities but also immortal realities. Human hope inspires our outer journey. Hope divine aspires in and through our inner journey. Our outer journey takes us to name and fame, which will eventually lead to utter frustration. But in the divine world, in the aspiration-world, at the end of our inner journey, we feel and we grow into illumination. We see and feel that hope is the perfect beginning of our God-realization and our psychic transformation.
An advanced theme:
In Ephesians 5:8-14, Paul says, "For you were once darkness but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light." These humble, poor, despised Galileans were once darkness, but then they saw a great light--Jesus--and were made able to be light in the Lord. So, God loves the world, and God sent his Son to be its light. The light of Christ shines through the church as Christians proclaim and demonstrate the gospel in every aspect of life. Whether in the workplace or the marketplace, whether in the political sphere, the family, or the school, as we demonstrate the light of Christianity, God will save some out of darkness just as he saved us. This light not only exposes the reality of evil, but it also enlightens us to God.

The Light of the world opens the eyes of the blind. He who said "Let light shine out of darkness" when he created the heavens and the earth, now speaks in His new creative work, saying, "Let there be light in the depths of human hearts," and there is light. People's eyes are opened and suddenly the blind see. And what do they see? They see the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. The following imaginative story will be very instructive: One day Satan and Jesus were having a conversation. Satan had just come from the Garden of Eden and he was gloating and boasting. "Yes, sir, I just caught a world full of people down there, set a trap, and used bait I knew they couldn't resist. “I got 'them all!" "What are you going to do with them?" Jesus asked. Satan replied, "Oh, I'm going to have fun! I'm going to teach them how to marry and divorce each other, how to hate and abuse each other, how to drink and smoke and curse. I'm going to teach them how to invent guns and bombs and kill each other. I'm really going to have fun!"; "And what will you do when you are done with them?" Jesus asked."Oh, I'll kill them," Satan glared proudly. "How much do you want for them?" Jesus asked. "Oh, you want those people? They are not good. Why? You'll take them and they'll just hate you. They'll spit on you, curse you and kill you. “How much?”, Jesus asked again. Satan looked at Jesus and sneered, "All your blood, tears and your life.” Jesus said, “Done” and then Jesus paid the price.

You are done with them?" Jesus asked."Oh, I'll kill them," Satan glared proudly. "How much do you want for them?" Jesus asked. "Oh, you want those people? They are not good. Why? You'll take them and they'll just hate you. They'll spit on you, curse you and kill you. “How much?”, Jesus asked again. Satan looked at Jesus and sneered, "All your blood, tears and your life.” Jesus said, “Done” and then Jesus paid the price.