THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME JANUARY 26, 2020
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 4:12-23
When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen. From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
REFLECTION: ..." the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen."
We live in a culture of death. Abortion, infanticide, euthanasia are now considered human rights. Unfortunately it is a one sided human right as there are two human beings involved; one speaks loudly and the other has no voice.
Many of us read the gospels in the time they occurred and see life through the prism of the Jewish people and their struggles. We are living in this prophecy of Isaiah and we are called to "repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." So many people, whom we don't have much fondness for, live in the darkness of the world. We have allowed this to happen. Confronting this culture of death is our responsibility. Not the other persons, but OURS! We give witness to these life issues through the courage of praying at Planned Parenthood, writing letters, walking in rallies, praying, fasting and atoning.
John the Baptist died and the call to repent was picked up by Jesus. Then the apostles, St Paul, and all the mighty saints before us took up this call. Through baptism we become members of the kingdom of God, we share in the divine life of God. We are God's mighty warriors..." the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen. How will your light shine today?
God Bless
