One thing about the world nowadays is that it so chaotic. There are so many things happening that cause fear, anxiety and worry, Also, one cannot imagine how some leaders think and talk, as they have and influence millions of supporters. Yes, we have lost our moral compass – the right is made wrong and the wrong is made right. The evil doers are very bold and the righteous are always persecuted. The Church is one of the most persecuted institution in the world. How many people of faith have said that the world is being darkened by evil. Five reasons why:

• First, there is no more sense of sin. People just do bad deeds without a thought.
• Second, so many people take away, another god takes over. Sadly, it is from the other side. Yes, occult can be very seductive.
• Third, people are now viewed as commodities and not any more as human beings.
• Fourth, social media has infected the mind of so many people especially the young.
• Fifth, people serve money and not God although by name they are Christians.

That is why in the Gospel, there exists the  message of hope that the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light. As Christians, three things we can do to see the great light:

1. First, continue to hold on to the faith. Yes, we will all wrestle with the questions, “Why do good… look at the evil doers ae they are getting ahead in this life? They have lots of money, nice cars, nice houses and they do not go to jail?”  Never forget the words of Jesus, “What profit does it gain a person to have the whole world and lose his soul.”
2. Second, continue to be salt of the earth and light of the world. We are in this world because God called us for a certain mission. May we be faithful to the mission. May we too have our advocacy to fight for what is right and what is good only to make this world a better place to live in. Now more than ever, we cannot be fence sitters because of the saying, “All it needs for evil to prevail is for good people to keep quiet.”
3. Third, continue to be fishers of men. So many people now are lost, confused, in pain, have burdens in life and do not find meaning in life. May we be the good news to them. May we bring them to the light. May we be fishers of men.

In this Mass, let us remember the words of St. Francis of Assisi: “All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle. That is why we hold on to our faith, we stand up for what is right, true and good and we search those who are lost.