Jesus, the Light of the World ~ by Ronnie Archer

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Is 8:23-9:3-1
Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14
1 Cor 1:10-13, 17
Mt 4:12-23

"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom, a light has shone." (Is 9:1)

"I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ, that all of you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose." (1 Cor 1:10)

The first reading of this Sunday, as well as the Gospel, share the theme of "light". Our second reading from St. Paul to the Corinthians, urges unity among the community; for it had been reported that there were rivalries and division among them. Christ went to the cross for all.

Jesus challenges/invites us through our Baptism, to continue His work on earth. First, we have to believe that we are called, and realize that when we "cast our nets"... that from what we gather, we will have to decide which of that is worth keeping or which we need to discard... We have to separate the "wheat from the chaff".

We need to let go of the sins that we have been used to in our life, and trust in something much different from the sin. We will have to pray for strength to not give in to temptation and sin.

Our old ways will pass away when we accept our call and when we truly claim Jesus Christ as our Savior. When we accept our call, Jesus invites us to lift up our voices and to be active. We are called not to be afraid to speak out in truth, to go forth wherever we find ourselves and to stand up for justice when we recognize that something is wrong.

It is easier to just "blend in", and pretend that we don't notice, but we cannot become complacent. We have to step out on faith and speak truth.

We are called to be that light of hope to others. We should open our hearts and arms as Jesus did.

The apostles were going about their routine chores when Jesus saw and called them. Jesus had such an impact on them that they heard and with hope, they stopped the tasks that they were doing and followed Jesus.

Jesus wants His light to shine through to us, through our Baptism, His call is meant for us all.

We pray that we can see what the apostles saw so we too, can live His way and truly follow Him.

Let's pray also, that our parish can continue to be a beacon of light in our community.


~ Art by Free Christ Images