Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. Isaiah 9:1
He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Matthew 4:19-20
Piety
A Morning Offering
O Jesus, I come before you at the beginning of this day.
I gaze at your face, I look upon your side pierced by the lance.
Your wounded heart speaks to me of God’s love poured out for us.
Take, Lord, and receive my heart: the words of faith I speak, the works of justice I would do, my joys and sufferings.
When I come to the Eucharistic table, gather my offerings to your own for the life of the world.
At the end of the day, place me with Mary, your mother, and for her sake take me to your heart. Amen.
(This particular version of the morning offering was circulated on a vocation-promotion card published by the Maryland Province of Jesuits.)
(From Hearts on Fire: Praying with Jesuits, edited by Michael Harter, SJ.
Study
http://www.usccb.org/nab/012708.shtml
Today we start out by reading obvious signs of geographic parallels between the Hebrew Bible and the Gospel. Isaiah’s prophecy in the first reading is fulfilled when Jesus takes up residence at
As these prophecies come to fruition, what happens when people see the light? What happens when people hear the message?
The call of the first disciples promises Peter, Andrew, James and John a share in Jesus’ work. However, it also requires that they leave behind their family and former way of life. Rather than being fishers of fish, Jesus calls them by name to become fishers of hearts, minds and souls.
They joined up with him on a mission of “teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people.” Matthew uses an interesting word to describe the temples – “their synagogues.” He does not consider them churches which included Jesus as a member. Just as the disciples have had to break with their families, Jesus has had to break with the religious traditions of the day in order to bring forth a new message.
Breaking away. It’s something everyone must do to some extent. As children, we grow up and break away from our parents to schools, jobs, new homes and new relationships. Down the road, we will endure career changes, retirements, relocations, divorce, deaths, and other circumstances which cause us to break away.
However, what is the reason for our breaks? Often it is to “get ahead.” Our breaks are self-motivated steps to better jobs, bigger houses, richer retirement savings, and faster cars.
Today, Jesus challenges us to break away for other reasons. He challenges us to break away for His reasons. He wants us to set out on a new path – not the path of politics, domination, violence or rivalries. As Paul urged in the second reading (1 Corinthians 1:10-11): I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose.
He goes on to say, “For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with the wisdom of human eloquence, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning.” To human eyes, the image of Jesus nailed to the cross is an image of ultimate failure. They see hanging on the cross a man condemned to death by his government, abandoned by his friends, and left without even the clothes on his back.
However, that misses the true meaning of Christ’s victory of life over death, or Isaiah’s light over darkness. That misses the reason we are asked to follow him.
Action
Use today to examine the reasons that you do things in your life. If you find that there is something that you do out of selfish personal reasons, offer that up to Jesus in your prayer for conversion.
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