Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 67
Lectionary: 67
First the Lord degraded the land of Zebulun
and the land of Naphtali;
but in the end he has glorified the seaward road,
the land west of the Jordan,
the District of the Gentiles.
Anguish has taken wing, dispelled is darkness:
for there is no gloom where but now there was distress.
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom
a light has shone.
You have brought them abundant joy
and great rejoicing,
as they rejoice before you as at the harvest,
as people make merry when dividing spoils.
For the yoke that burdened them,
the pole on their shoulder,
and the rod of their taskmaster
you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.
and the land of Naphtali;
but in the end he has glorified the seaward road,
the land west of the Jordan,
the District of the Gentiles.
Anguish has taken wing, dispelled is darkness:
for there is no gloom where but now there was distress.
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom
a light has shone.
You have brought them abundant joy
and great rejoicing,
as they rejoice before you as at the harvest,
as people make merry when dividing spoils.
For the yoke that burdened them,
the pole on their shoulder,
and the rod of their taskmaster
you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.
Responsorial Psalm PS 27:1, 4,
13-14
R/ (1a) The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
R/ The Lord is my light and my salvation.
One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple.
R/ The Lord is my light and my salvation.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
R/ The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
R/ The Lord is my light and my salvation.
One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple.
R/ The Lord is my light and my salvation.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
R/ The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Reading 2 1 COR
1:10-13, 17
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.
For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers and sisters,
by Chloe’s people, that there are rivalries among you.
I mean that each of you is saying,
“I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,”
or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.”
Is Christ divided?
Was Paul crucified for you?
Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
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.
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.
For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers and sisters,
by Chloe’s people, that there are rivalries among you.
I mean that each of you is saying,
“I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,”
or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.”
Is Christ divided?
Was Paul crucified for you?
Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
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.
Gospel MT
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.”
As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers,
Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew,
casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen.
He said to them,
“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
At once they left their nets and followed him.
He walked along from there and saw two other brothers,
James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John.
They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets.
He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father
and followed him.
He went around all of Galilee,
teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom,
and curing every disease and illness among the people.
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.”
As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers,
Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew,
casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen.
He said to them,
“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
At once they left their nets and followed him.
He walked along from there and saw two other brothers,
James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John.
They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets.
He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father
and followed him.
He went around all of Galilee,
teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom,
and curing every disease and illness among the people.
Or MT
4:12-17
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.”
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.”
Scripture
Study
January 26, 2014 - 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
FIRST READING: Isaiah 8:23--9:3. In the former time God brought into
contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time
he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee
of the nations.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light, those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. Thou hast multiplied the nation, thou hast increased its joy; they rejoice before thee as with joy at the harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, thou hast broken as on the day of Midian.
EXPLANATION: This reading for today's Mass is another prophecy, concerning the messianic days, given by Isaiah in the eighth century B.C. It describes the new era of liberty and joy, which the future Messiah will usher in. Galilee, the northeastern corner of Palestine, had been populated for the most part by pagan Assyrian settlers, who had been brought in there after the fall of the northern kingdom (Israel) in 722. Paganism had control, and the few Chosen People, thinly scattered in the region, found it difficult to retain their faith in the true God, and more difficult still, to practice it. All that will be changed, the prophet says.
Zebulun and Naphtali: These were two of the 12 Tribes who settled in the region of Galilee after the Exodus from Egypt (Jos. 29: 21-39).
brought into contempt: In other words, disappeared practically after the Assyrian invasion.
way of the sea: The route from the East (Syria, Assyria and Babylon) to Egypt passed through Galilee. and then down by the Mediterranean coast.
God . . . glorious: "In the latter time," that is, in the messianic days, the new era as opposed to the old, Galilee will play a great part. It was there that Christ spent most of his public life, and from there, eleven of his twelve Apostles came (see Mt. 4: 12-16 in today's gospel, where he considered this prophecy of Isaiah fulfilled when Jesus began to preach in Galilee).
darkness . . . light: The darkness of paganism and slavery will be changed into the bright noon-day light of Christianity and real freedom.
multiplied . . . joy: Numerous believers in the true God will inhabit this territory, and serve him with joy in the great era that is to come.
joy . . . spoil: Their joy, because of their real liberation, is compared to that of the farmer when he collects an abundant harvest, or a conquering army dividing the spoils of a victorious battle.
yoke . . . rod: All the instruments and symbols of the oppressor will be removed.
as on . . . Midian: That future day will be a day of victory, like the day Gideon defeated the Midianites, one of the greatest victories of the period of the Judges (Jgs. 7:16-25).
APPLICATION: "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light." Before the coming of Christ 98 per cent of the human race lived in the darkness and hopelessness of paganism. They knew nothing of the good God who made them; they knew nothing of their real purpose in this life, and did not know that there was a future life to look forward to. The two percent, or less, of Jews had a knowledge of the true God. But it was a limited knowledge and their service of him was motivated by fear rather than by love. Their belief in a future, endless life was weak in the best of them, and was not accepted at all by many.
The Incarnation has changed all that. The darkness of paganism, and ignorance of the true nature of the God who created us, has been banished forever by the coming of the Son of God among us as man. From it we have learned not only that God loves us, and that he is interested in every one of us, but that he loves us with an infinite, unlimited love, and wants each one of us to share in his own eternal kingdom of happiness forever. For this reason he has raised us up to adopted sonship, through the Incarnation in which his real Son took on himself our lowly created nature and became our brother.
This was God's plan for mankind for all eternity. Sin had entered the world of men in the meantime. Man became so proud of the gifts he possessed, that he forgot the giver of those gifts, and not only refused to thank his benefactor, but turned against him and made for himself false gods. This, however, did not change God's plan nor his infinite love for man. Christ, the son of God in our human nature, was the representative of all men. He gave perfect obedience to his heavenly Father in the name of us all. Because he was God, as well as man, he made a perfect atonement for the sins of all men, of all time. No mere human being could ever have done this.
We, Christians today, are walking in the full light of the knowledge of God's infinite love for us, of God's eternal plan for our unending happiness, of the almost incredible mystery of that divine love for us sinners, which was shown in the Incarnation. If an earthly king should leave his palace, and go among his peasants, and dress and live like one of them, in order to educate them and clothe them in royal robes, and then bring them to his palace to live with him as his adopted children, what an amazing act of benevolence and love this would be. Yet, the Creator of all things, the King of the universe, did this and more for us.
Does anyone among us really appreciate what God has done for him? Does he realize what the privilege of being a Christian means? Does he ever thank God sufficiently for the benefits he has conferred on him? We have all seen the great light which expelled all darkness. We are living under its heavenly illumination. But are we all benefiting from that light as we should? Will it lead us to the eternal, everlasting light---the purpose for which it was given to us?
This is a question each one of us must ask himself today, and the future fate of every one of us will depend on the answer we can honestly give to this question.
SECOND READING: 1 Cor. 1: 10-13; 17. I appeal to you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree that there be no dissensions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgement. For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brethren. What I mean is that each one of you says, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Cephas," or "I belong to Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the Gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
EXPLANATION: St. Paul not only preached the gospel, and set up Christian communities in the principal towns of the Roman Empire, but he kept a life-long interest in their spiritual welfare. He revisited the principal churches which he had founded, and if he could not do so, he kept himself informed of their progress, and wrote letters to them to praise them, or correct them, if things were not as they should have been. The section of one of these letters, which we read today, is an example of such a correction.
I appeal . . . Lord: Paul calls them his brothers, and begs them to be truly brothers to one another, to preserve unity among themselves. This appeal is not just the wish of Paul, but it is Christ's commandment, who put loving neighbor as oneself next to the command to love God (Mt. 22:36). Hence it is in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ that he makes this appeal.
it has . . . me: See how he kept in touch with his converts!
I belong . . . Christ: Some divisions, or factions, began to be set up in the church of Corinth since he had left them. These were, most likely, caused by the arrival of some converts from outside. Apollos, an Alexandrian Jewish convert, was an eloquent preacher and some may have thought him a greater apostle than Paul, even though he was not an apostle. Others preferred their first teacher, Paul. Jewish converts from Palestine who would have been converted by Peter (Cephas=the Rock, the head and fountain of the Church), were all for Peter, while some declared that their loyalty was to Christ, rather than to any of his messengers.
Is Christ divided?: All are brothers of Christ and in Christ. Christ wishes all to be one, as does Paul.
Paul crucified: It was Christ who died for them. It was Christ who made them members of his body, the Church, through baptism. Paul did no more than bring this good news to them.
not send . . . baptize: Evidently, Paul's whole time was spent teaching the faith to the people. His helpers baptized those whom he had prepared to become members of Christ's mystical body---the Church.
not eloquent . . . power: It was not by human persuasion, or human eloquence, that Paul converted the people---this was done by the power of Christ. The people were convinced that God loved them, and that he had proved that love by sending his divine Son to live among them and die on the cross for them.
APPLICATION: Human nature has changed little through all the centuries. When it has, it has often been a change for the worse not for the better. In today's lesson, we are a bit shocked to hear that the first generation of Christians were beginning to form factions and divisions in the church of Corinth. Three years had barely passed since they had dedicated their lives to Christ, their one ambition and desire being to follow Christ on the road to heaven. Now, already, personal pride was entering in. Some were looking down on others, because it was the great Paul who instructed and converted them. The others resisted this, and claimed a greater superiority, because they had a more eloquent teacher, Apollos of Alexandria, while others, again, began to despise both of these parties, because they were instructed by the head of the Apostles, the Rock, Peter.
How silly it may seem to us! What does it matter who taught them, if they have learned the truth about Christ and God's great love, for them? To St. Paul it did not seem silly, but very dangerous, because it showed that human pride, the basic sin, and the first sin of human nature, was beginning to revive once more among them.
This letter of St. Paul, recalling to their minds who their true master and teacher was, very likely put an end to this trouble in Corinth, but it did not banish foolish pride from among men, nor worse still from among Christians who profess to be followers of the humble Christ.
Do we need examples to show the dreadful damage that pride has inflicted on the Church of Christ? The long-standing divisions and separated sects in the Church---a scandal to the followers of Christ and an impediment to the conversion of unbelievers---are the direct result of the actions of proud men. It is not necessary here to apportion blame---Paul did not when reproving the divisions in Corinth---but what is necessary is that all Christians should take to heart Paul's reminder that it was Christ who died for us all and that Christ is not and must not be divided.
Thank God, and thanks to the saintly Pope John, Christians are today taking active steps to reunite the Church of Christ once more, to bring together once again the separated members of Christ's mystical body. The Roman soldiers nailed his human body to the cross. We, his professed lovers and followers, have torn his mystical body apart. We have been more cruel to him than the ignorant pagan soldiers.
In this essential and urgent work of reunion each one of us, even the humblest and least educated, can play an important part. First, by fervent prayer that God will give all Christians, ourselves included, the grace to come together in true love of God, and true love of our Christian neighbor, no matter what his interpretation or even misrepresentation of Christ's teaching may have hitherto been. Secondly, by showing in our daily actions that we recognize all men, not alone Christians, as our brothers. We have all been raised to sonship with God, we have all been redeemed by Christ. We must, if we love God and appreciate what God has done for the human race, want all men to avail themselves of this marvelous supernatural gift that he has intended for them.
The most effective and convincing way, in which we can prove our true concern for the eternal welfare of all our fellowman, is by living a true Christian life ourselves. If we have burning within us the fire of God's love, its heat will spread and warm the hearts and minds of all those with whom we come in contact.
The leaders and theologians of all the Christian bodies will have their very important part to play in this sincere attempt at reunifying the Church of Christ. But unless we, ordinary Christians, bring down the fire of God's love on earth, by our prayers and good works, their task will be ever so difficult, if not nearly impossible. We'll begin to put our own Christian faith into daily and hourly practice and start to storm heaven for the success of this most necessary endeavor. God will not be deaf to the requests in word and deed that come from his humble servants.
GOSPEL: Matt. 4: 12-23. When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth he went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled,
"The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles---the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned."
From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.
And he went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogs and preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people.
EXPLANATION: The Baptist's mission, of proximate preparation for the Messiah, ended when John was arrested by Herod, because he had publicly denounced the king's adulterous association with his brother's wife. Jesus then began his own mission, and moved from near the Jordan in Judea up to Galilee. He continued John's call to repentance, "for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." He chose his first four disciples near Capernaum and worked many miracles around Galilee. In this missionary activity of Jesus in Galilee, Matthew sees fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, given over 700 years before. True freedom, and the true light of faith, have come to that once oppressed region.
leaving Nazareth: From the Jordan, Jesus went to Nazareth and remained there for a short while. The wedding feast at Cana, near Nazareth, described by John (2: 1-12), and the preaching of Christ in the synagog of Nazareth, which resulted in his rejection as described by Luke (4: 16-30), can be fitted in here. Matthew and Mark do not mention these events, but both of them mention a visit of our Lord to Nazareth later.
Capernaum: A small town on the northern shore of Lake Genesareth. It was the home-town of Peter and Andrew and, probably for that reason, it became Christ's base or second home-town during his missionary journeys around Galilee and the neighboring districts.
Zebulun . . . dawned: On the prophecy of Isaiah which Matthew now sees fulfilled, see today's first reading.
Simon . . . Peter: Simon, son of Jonah, was the original name. This name was replaced by Peter (Cephas in Aramaic, which means a rock, which in turn became Petros in Greek, the masculine form of petra), when Christ appointed him the foundation and head of the Church (Mt. 16:18): "Thou art Rock and on this rock I will build my Church."
Andrew . . . James . . . John: Peter and Andrew were blood brothers, so were James and John. All four earned their livelihood fishing in the Lake of Genesareth, a good source of living at that time.
Immediately . . . father: All four had listened to the Baptist's preaching, and were probably disciples of John. But on hearing John's declarations, and having probably heard the words from heaven, they left John and followed Jesus of their own accord. The three synoptic Gospels do not mention this voluntary following of Jesus by the first disciples, but all three mention this official call to the apostolate. This official call does not deny the earlier, personal attraction toward, and belief in, Jesus as the Messiah which they had received through the Baptist.
teaching . . . synagog: The Jews attended their synagog in large numbers on the Sabbath day. This was a suitable occasion for Christ to meet them and explain his message in person to them.
gospel . . . kingdom: The messianic kingdom, or new era in the relationship between God and men. It is also called the kingdom of heaven for, though it would begin on earth, its culmination and perfection would be in heaven.
healing . . . disease: These were acts of compassion and mercy, rather than proofs of his claims. However, he did occasionally work miracles to prove his divine claims (see the case of the paralytic and the power to forgive sins---Lk. 5: 17-25).
APPLICATION: The true freedom, and the true light which Christ brought to Galilee nearly 2,000 years ago, were brought on earth for us too. The Christian faith, and the Christian knowledge of God's love for us and his infinite interest in our real welfare, are his gift to us and to all men of goodwill, who will accept it. Thanks be to God for this marvelous gift of faith, which frees us from the slavery of paganism and sin, and lights the road to heaven for us, amidst the darkness and drudgery of this life.
The lot of the insensitive tree in the forest, and of the dumb beast of the field, would be far and away a better one than the lot of rational man, who knew neither God nor any plan that God had for him. Man with his superior gifts, which raise him above all the other earthly creatures, can experience and enjoy happiness and well-being. The joy of living, the gift of life, is the greatest source and the basis of all his other earthly joys. His short life on earth may be frequently interspersed with troubles and trials, aches and pains, yet to stay alive is so innate a desire, and so strong a determination, that the common opinion of men is that it is only a mentally deranged person who can commit suicide.
But there is a shadow, the shadow of death, over the very greatest of our earthly pleasures. Through our gift of intellect, and the experience of our race, we all know that life on this earth has to end, and no matter how many more years we may think we still have left to us, death will be too soon, far too soon, when it comes. The neo-pagan (the real pagans, who have not heard of the true God, have some god or gods in whom they hope and trust) will do all in his power to forget this dreadful thought of death, but he is reminded of it everyday of his earthly life. To live with this thought that all he shall be in eighty years' time is a bucket of lifeless and useless dust, must be an anticipation of the hell he may also have to face after his death.
We love life, we too want to live on, we too know that this cannot be on this earth, but thanks to the merciful revelation given us in our faith, we know that the infinite love of God has prepared a future life for us. We know that Christ, by his life and death as man among us, has made us adopted sons of God. We know we have an eternal life awaiting us, when we depart from this life, and that for the Christian who did his best to be a true follower and disciple of Christ, death is not the end but the beginning of our real life. The grave is not our goal forever, but the key which opens the door to eternal life and eternal happiness for us.
With this divine knowledge revealed to us by and through Christ, everything falls into place in our earthly sojourn. We have our joys and our sorrows, our births and our burials, but we know, with the certainty of God's word, that these are but sign-posts that mark our stages toward, and direct our steps to, our eternal home. We are superior to the tree of the forest therefore, and to the beast of the field, not only because of our earthly gifts of intelligence and will, but because we know that our end on earth will not be like theirs. It will be, instead, the great awakening to a joy and happiness of which, at present, we can only form a very limited and vague idea. We Christians have indeed seen a great, a heaven-sent light.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light, those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. Thou hast multiplied the nation, thou hast increased its joy; they rejoice before thee as with joy at the harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, thou hast broken as on the day of Midian.
EXPLANATION: This reading for today's Mass is another prophecy, concerning the messianic days, given by Isaiah in the eighth century B.C. It describes the new era of liberty and joy, which the future Messiah will usher in. Galilee, the northeastern corner of Palestine, had been populated for the most part by pagan Assyrian settlers, who had been brought in there after the fall of the northern kingdom (Israel) in 722. Paganism had control, and the few Chosen People, thinly scattered in the region, found it difficult to retain their faith in the true God, and more difficult still, to practice it. All that will be changed, the prophet says.
Zebulun and Naphtali: These were two of the 12 Tribes who settled in the region of Galilee after the Exodus from Egypt (Jos. 29: 21-39).
brought into contempt: In other words, disappeared practically after the Assyrian invasion.
way of the sea: The route from the East (Syria, Assyria and Babylon) to Egypt passed through Galilee. and then down by the Mediterranean coast.
God . . . glorious: "In the latter time," that is, in the messianic days, the new era as opposed to the old, Galilee will play a great part. It was there that Christ spent most of his public life, and from there, eleven of his twelve Apostles came (see Mt. 4: 12-16 in today's gospel, where he considered this prophecy of Isaiah fulfilled when Jesus began to preach in Galilee).
darkness . . . light: The darkness of paganism and slavery will be changed into the bright noon-day light of Christianity and real freedom.
multiplied . . . joy: Numerous believers in the true God will inhabit this territory, and serve him with joy in the great era that is to come.
joy . . . spoil: Their joy, because of their real liberation, is compared to that of the farmer when he collects an abundant harvest, or a conquering army dividing the spoils of a victorious battle.
yoke . . . rod: All the instruments and symbols of the oppressor will be removed.
as on . . . Midian: That future day will be a day of victory, like the day Gideon defeated the Midianites, one of the greatest victories of the period of the Judges (Jgs. 7:16-25).
APPLICATION: "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light." Before the coming of Christ 98 per cent of the human race lived in the darkness and hopelessness of paganism. They knew nothing of the good God who made them; they knew nothing of their real purpose in this life, and did not know that there was a future life to look forward to. The two percent, or less, of Jews had a knowledge of the true God. But it was a limited knowledge and their service of him was motivated by fear rather than by love. Their belief in a future, endless life was weak in the best of them, and was not accepted at all by many.
The Incarnation has changed all that. The darkness of paganism, and ignorance of the true nature of the God who created us, has been banished forever by the coming of the Son of God among us as man. From it we have learned not only that God loves us, and that he is interested in every one of us, but that he loves us with an infinite, unlimited love, and wants each one of us to share in his own eternal kingdom of happiness forever. For this reason he has raised us up to adopted sonship, through the Incarnation in which his real Son took on himself our lowly created nature and became our brother.
This was God's plan for mankind for all eternity. Sin had entered the world of men in the meantime. Man became so proud of the gifts he possessed, that he forgot the giver of those gifts, and not only refused to thank his benefactor, but turned against him and made for himself false gods. This, however, did not change God's plan nor his infinite love for man. Christ, the son of God in our human nature, was the representative of all men. He gave perfect obedience to his heavenly Father in the name of us all. Because he was God, as well as man, he made a perfect atonement for the sins of all men, of all time. No mere human being could ever have done this.
We, Christians today, are walking in the full light of the knowledge of God's infinite love for us, of God's eternal plan for our unending happiness, of the almost incredible mystery of that divine love for us sinners, which was shown in the Incarnation. If an earthly king should leave his palace, and go among his peasants, and dress and live like one of them, in order to educate them and clothe them in royal robes, and then bring them to his palace to live with him as his adopted children, what an amazing act of benevolence and love this would be. Yet, the Creator of all things, the King of the universe, did this and more for us.
Does anyone among us really appreciate what God has done for him? Does he realize what the privilege of being a Christian means? Does he ever thank God sufficiently for the benefits he has conferred on him? We have all seen the great light which expelled all darkness. We are living under its heavenly illumination. But are we all benefiting from that light as we should? Will it lead us to the eternal, everlasting light---the purpose for which it was given to us?
This is a question each one of us must ask himself today, and the future fate of every one of us will depend on the answer we can honestly give to this question.
SECOND READING: 1 Cor. 1: 10-13; 17. I appeal to you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree that there be no dissensions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgement. For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brethren. What I mean is that each one of you says, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Cephas," or "I belong to Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the Gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
EXPLANATION: St. Paul not only preached the gospel, and set up Christian communities in the principal towns of the Roman Empire, but he kept a life-long interest in their spiritual welfare. He revisited the principal churches which he had founded, and if he could not do so, he kept himself informed of their progress, and wrote letters to them to praise them, or correct them, if things were not as they should have been. The section of one of these letters, which we read today, is an example of such a correction.
I appeal . . . Lord: Paul calls them his brothers, and begs them to be truly brothers to one another, to preserve unity among themselves. This appeal is not just the wish of Paul, but it is Christ's commandment, who put loving neighbor as oneself next to the command to love God (Mt. 22:36). Hence it is in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ that he makes this appeal.
it has . . . me: See how he kept in touch with his converts!
I belong . . . Christ: Some divisions, or factions, began to be set up in the church of Corinth since he had left them. These were, most likely, caused by the arrival of some converts from outside. Apollos, an Alexandrian Jewish convert, was an eloquent preacher and some may have thought him a greater apostle than Paul, even though he was not an apostle. Others preferred their first teacher, Paul. Jewish converts from Palestine who would have been converted by Peter (Cephas=the Rock, the head and fountain of the Church), were all for Peter, while some declared that their loyalty was to Christ, rather than to any of his messengers.
Is Christ divided?: All are brothers of Christ and in Christ. Christ wishes all to be one, as does Paul.
Paul crucified: It was Christ who died for them. It was Christ who made them members of his body, the Church, through baptism. Paul did no more than bring this good news to them.
not send . . . baptize: Evidently, Paul's whole time was spent teaching the faith to the people. His helpers baptized those whom he had prepared to become members of Christ's mystical body---the Church.
not eloquent . . . power: It was not by human persuasion, or human eloquence, that Paul converted the people---this was done by the power of Christ. The people were convinced that God loved them, and that he had proved that love by sending his divine Son to live among them and die on the cross for them.
APPLICATION: Human nature has changed little through all the centuries. When it has, it has often been a change for the worse not for the better. In today's lesson, we are a bit shocked to hear that the first generation of Christians were beginning to form factions and divisions in the church of Corinth. Three years had barely passed since they had dedicated their lives to Christ, their one ambition and desire being to follow Christ on the road to heaven. Now, already, personal pride was entering in. Some were looking down on others, because it was the great Paul who instructed and converted them. The others resisted this, and claimed a greater superiority, because they had a more eloquent teacher, Apollos of Alexandria, while others, again, began to despise both of these parties, because they were instructed by the head of the Apostles, the Rock, Peter.
How silly it may seem to us! What does it matter who taught them, if they have learned the truth about Christ and God's great love, for them? To St. Paul it did not seem silly, but very dangerous, because it showed that human pride, the basic sin, and the first sin of human nature, was beginning to revive once more among them.
This letter of St. Paul, recalling to their minds who their true master and teacher was, very likely put an end to this trouble in Corinth, but it did not banish foolish pride from among men, nor worse still from among Christians who profess to be followers of the humble Christ.
Do we need examples to show the dreadful damage that pride has inflicted on the Church of Christ? The long-standing divisions and separated sects in the Church---a scandal to the followers of Christ and an impediment to the conversion of unbelievers---are the direct result of the actions of proud men. It is not necessary here to apportion blame---Paul did not when reproving the divisions in Corinth---but what is necessary is that all Christians should take to heart Paul's reminder that it was Christ who died for us all and that Christ is not and must not be divided.
Thank God, and thanks to the saintly Pope John, Christians are today taking active steps to reunite the Church of Christ once more, to bring together once again the separated members of Christ's mystical body. The Roman soldiers nailed his human body to the cross. We, his professed lovers and followers, have torn his mystical body apart. We have been more cruel to him than the ignorant pagan soldiers.
In this essential and urgent work of reunion each one of us, even the humblest and least educated, can play an important part. First, by fervent prayer that God will give all Christians, ourselves included, the grace to come together in true love of God, and true love of our Christian neighbor, no matter what his interpretation or even misrepresentation of Christ's teaching may have hitherto been. Secondly, by showing in our daily actions that we recognize all men, not alone Christians, as our brothers. We have all been raised to sonship with God, we have all been redeemed by Christ. We must, if we love God and appreciate what God has done for the human race, want all men to avail themselves of this marvelous supernatural gift that he has intended for them.
The most effective and convincing way, in which we can prove our true concern for the eternal welfare of all our fellowman, is by living a true Christian life ourselves. If we have burning within us the fire of God's love, its heat will spread and warm the hearts and minds of all those with whom we come in contact.
The leaders and theologians of all the Christian bodies will have their very important part to play in this sincere attempt at reunifying the Church of Christ. But unless we, ordinary Christians, bring down the fire of God's love on earth, by our prayers and good works, their task will be ever so difficult, if not nearly impossible. We'll begin to put our own Christian faith into daily and hourly practice and start to storm heaven for the success of this most necessary endeavor. God will not be deaf to the requests in word and deed that come from his humble servants.
GOSPEL: Matt. 4: 12-23. When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth he went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled,
"The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles---the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned."
From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.
And he went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogs and preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people.
EXPLANATION: The Baptist's mission, of proximate preparation for the Messiah, ended when John was arrested by Herod, because he had publicly denounced the king's adulterous association with his brother's wife. Jesus then began his own mission, and moved from near the Jordan in Judea up to Galilee. He continued John's call to repentance, "for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." He chose his first four disciples near Capernaum and worked many miracles around Galilee. In this missionary activity of Jesus in Galilee, Matthew sees fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, given over 700 years before. True freedom, and the true light of faith, have come to that once oppressed region.
leaving Nazareth: From the Jordan, Jesus went to Nazareth and remained there for a short while. The wedding feast at Cana, near Nazareth, described by John (2: 1-12), and the preaching of Christ in the synagog of Nazareth, which resulted in his rejection as described by Luke (4: 16-30), can be fitted in here. Matthew and Mark do not mention these events, but both of them mention a visit of our Lord to Nazareth later.
Capernaum: A small town on the northern shore of Lake Genesareth. It was the home-town of Peter and Andrew and, probably for that reason, it became Christ's base or second home-town during his missionary journeys around Galilee and the neighboring districts.
Zebulun . . . dawned: On the prophecy of Isaiah which Matthew now sees fulfilled, see today's first reading.
Simon . . . Peter: Simon, son of Jonah, was the original name. This name was replaced by Peter (Cephas in Aramaic, which means a rock, which in turn became Petros in Greek, the masculine form of petra), when Christ appointed him the foundation and head of the Church (Mt. 16:18): "Thou art Rock and on this rock I will build my Church."
Andrew . . . James . . . John: Peter and Andrew were blood brothers, so were James and John. All four earned their livelihood fishing in the Lake of Genesareth, a good source of living at that time.
Immediately . . . father: All four had listened to the Baptist's preaching, and were probably disciples of John. But on hearing John's declarations, and having probably heard the words from heaven, they left John and followed Jesus of their own accord. The three synoptic Gospels do not mention this voluntary following of Jesus by the first disciples, but all three mention this official call to the apostolate. This official call does not deny the earlier, personal attraction toward, and belief in, Jesus as the Messiah which they had received through the Baptist.
teaching . . . synagog: The Jews attended their synagog in large numbers on the Sabbath day. This was a suitable occasion for Christ to meet them and explain his message in person to them.
gospel . . . kingdom: The messianic kingdom, or new era in the relationship between God and men. It is also called the kingdom of heaven for, though it would begin on earth, its culmination and perfection would be in heaven.
healing . . . disease: These were acts of compassion and mercy, rather than proofs of his claims. However, he did occasionally work miracles to prove his divine claims (see the case of the paralytic and the power to forgive sins---Lk. 5: 17-25).
APPLICATION: The true freedom, and the true light which Christ brought to Galilee nearly 2,000 years ago, were brought on earth for us too. The Christian faith, and the Christian knowledge of God's love for us and his infinite interest in our real welfare, are his gift to us and to all men of goodwill, who will accept it. Thanks be to God for this marvelous gift of faith, which frees us from the slavery of paganism and sin, and lights the road to heaven for us, amidst the darkness and drudgery of this life.
The lot of the insensitive tree in the forest, and of the dumb beast of the field, would be far and away a better one than the lot of rational man, who knew neither God nor any plan that God had for him. Man with his superior gifts, which raise him above all the other earthly creatures, can experience and enjoy happiness and well-being. The joy of living, the gift of life, is the greatest source and the basis of all his other earthly joys. His short life on earth may be frequently interspersed with troubles and trials, aches and pains, yet to stay alive is so innate a desire, and so strong a determination, that the common opinion of men is that it is only a mentally deranged person who can commit suicide.
But there is a shadow, the shadow of death, over the very greatest of our earthly pleasures. Through our gift of intellect, and the experience of our race, we all know that life on this earth has to end, and no matter how many more years we may think we still have left to us, death will be too soon, far too soon, when it comes. The neo-pagan (the real pagans, who have not heard of the true God, have some god or gods in whom they hope and trust) will do all in his power to forget this dreadful thought of death, but he is reminded of it everyday of his earthly life. To live with this thought that all he shall be in eighty years' time is a bucket of lifeless and useless dust, must be an anticipation of the hell he may also have to face after his death.
We love life, we too want to live on, we too know that this cannot be on this earth, but thanks to the merciful revelation given us in our faith, we know that the infinite love of God has prepared a future life for us. We know that Christ, by his life and death as man among us, has made us adopted sons of God. We know we have an eternal life awaiting us, when we depart from this life, and that for the Christian who did his best to be a true follower and disciple of Christ, death is not the end but the beginning of our real life. The grave is not our goal forever, but the key which opens the door to eternal life and eternal happiness for us.
With this divine knowledge revealed to us by and through Christ, everything falls into place in our earthly sojourn. We have our joys and our sorrows, our births and our burials, but we know, with the certainty of God's word, that these are but sign-posts that mark our stages toward, and direct our steps to, our eternal home. We are superior to the tree of the forest therefore, and to the beast of the field, not only because of our earthly gifts of intelligence and will, but because we know that our end on earth will not be like theirs. It will be, instead, the great awakening to a joy and happiness of which, at present, we can only form a very limited and vague idea. We Christians have indeed seen a great, a heaven-sent light.
Meditation: “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great
light”
Do you know the joy and freedom of the gospel – the good
news proclaimed by Jesus Christ? John the Baptist’s enemies had sought
to silence him, but the good news of salvation which he pointed to could not be
silenced. As soon as John had finished his testimony, Jesus began to speak of the
good news of salvation in Galilee. Galilee was at the crossroads of the world
and much traffic passed through this little region. It had been assigned to the
tribes of Asher, Naptali and Zebulum when the Israelites first came into the
promised land (see Joshua 9). For a long time it had been under Gentile
occupation. Isaiah foretold (see Isaiah 9) that the good news of
salvation would be proclaimed in this land and reach to the Gentiles.
Jesus begins the proclamation of the gospel here to fulfill the word of God
which had been promised long ago. The Old Testament prophets spoke of God’s
promise to send a Redeemer who would establish God’s reign of peace and
righteousness. That time is now fulfilled in Jesus the Messiah.
Jesus takes up John’s message of repentance and calls disciples
to believe in the good news (gospel) which he has come to deliver. What
is the good news which Jesus delivers? It is the good news of peace (restoration
of relationship with God), of hope (the hope of resurrection
and heaven), of truth (God's word is true and reliable), of promise (he
rewards those who seek him), of immortality (God gives
everlasting life), and the good news of salvation (liberty
from sin and freedom to live as sons and daughters of God). The gospel is the
power and wisdom of God: power to change and transform our lives and wisdom to
show us how to live as sons and daughters of our Father in heaven. Through the
gift of the Holy Spirit the Lord makes it possible for us to receive his word
with faith and to act upon it with trust.
In announcing the good news, Jesus made two demands: repent
and believe! Repentance requires a life-change and a transformation of
heart and mind. The Holy Spirit gives us a repentant heart, a true sorrow and
hatred for sin and its consequences, and a firm resolution to avoid it in the
future. The Holy Spirit gives us grace to see our sin for what it is –
rebellion and a rejection of the love of God. God’s grace helps us to
turn away from all that would keep us from his love. Faith or belief is
an entirely free gift which God makes to us. Believing is only possible
by grace and the help of the Holy Spirit who moves the heart and converts it to
God. The Holy Spirit opens the eyes of the mind and makes it easy for us
to accept and believe the truth. To believe is to take Jesus at his word, to
believe that God loved us so much that he sent his only begotten Son to redeem
us from the slavery of sin and death. God made the supreme sacrifice of his Son
on the cross to bring us back to himself. Do you know the love of God that
surpasses all else and that impels us to give him our all? God wants to change
our way of thinking and transform our lives by the power of his word.
Jesus chose as his closest friends and co-workers those who were
ready to follow as his disciples and he gave them an unusual mission – "to
catch people for the kingdom of God". What kind of disciples did Jesus
choose? Smelly fishermen! In the choice of the first apostles (Peter, Andrew,
James and John) we see a characteristic feature of Jesus' work: he chose very
ordinary people. They were non-professionals, had no wealth or position of
power or prestige in society. They were chosen from the common people who did
ordinary things, had no special marks of distinction or social ranking. Jesus
wanted ordinary people who could take an assignment and do it extraordinarily
well. He chose these individuals, not for what they were, but for what they
would become under his direction and power. When the Lord calls us to be his
disciples and co-workers, we must not think we have nothing to offer him in
exchange. The Lord Jesus takes what ordinary people, like us, can offer and he
enables us to accomplish great things for his kingdom. Do you believe that God
wants to work in and through you for his glory?
Jesus speaks the same message to us today: we will "catch
people" for the kingdom of God if we allow the light of Jesus Christ to
shine through us. God wants others to see the light of Christ in us in the way
we live, speak, and witness the joy of the gospel. Paul the Apostles says,
"But thanks be to God, who in Christ Jesus always leads us in triumph, and
through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are
the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who
are perishing" (2 Corinthians 2:15). Do you show others around you the joy
of the gospel and do you pray for your neighbors, co-workers, and relatives
that they may come to know the Lord Jesus Christ and grow in the knowledge of
his love?
"Lord Jesus, your ways are life and light! Let your word –
the good news of the Gospel – penetrate my heart and transform my mind that I
may see your glory and truth. Help me to follow you and do what is pleasing in
your sight".
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Immediate Responses to His Call
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Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
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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."
As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called
Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were
fishermen. He said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers
of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along
from there, and saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother
John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He
called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father, and
followed him. He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and
proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and curing every disease and illness
among the people.
Introductory Prayer:Jesus, what a beautiful day in the life of your disciples:
you walked along the shore and called them! I wish to respond to your
gentle call in the same way they did. I know that you will never lead me
astray; rather, you will protect me and lead me home to heaven. Here I am
Lord, at your service.
Petition:My dear Lord Jesus, help me follow you faithfully without
weighing the cost.
1. Just Walking along the Shore: It might appear
that Christ’s meeting his first disciples was a chance encounter: He was out
walking and saw them. The overall context tells us much more. John was in
prison, and Jesus knew his time had come. A significant part of his mission
for the next three years would be to teach and form his apostles. These
apostles had been selected by Divine Providence since the beginning of time,
and now the call to them was made. These were not chance encounters. Jesus
knew who he wanted and what he would ask of them. He also knows each of us
and what he wants from each of us. His love and attention are entirely personal
and very important to him.
2. A Simple Call: When Jesus engages the rich young
man later in his life (cf. Matthew 19:16-22), the conversation is much more
involved than the brief meetings in today’s Gospel. Here, Jesus approaches
and asks the four men to follow him. It is simple, and it is brief. Many
other steps in their mission will be made known later. For now: “Follow me!”
We cannot spend our lives waiting for God’s call to do something great. In
the process we might miss the many simple calls of everyday life: calls to be
more charitable with our friends and family, calls to be more patient with
our children, calls to be more generous in helping a neighbor in need. Be
generous in the small things, and then we will be generous in the greater things.
3. They Left Everything: The disciples’
response was heroic. They followed immediately, totally and joyfully. What is
my attitude to God’s will in my life? His will is made known to me through
the norms and laws of his Church and through the indications of my superiors
or parents. Do I respond selflessly? Or do I count the cost and negotiate a
deal before I follow him? “What can I get out of this?” I will get an
eternity of bliss only if I generously follow him.
Conversation with Christ:Lord, I need to understand better
that you desire a personal and intimate relationship with me like. What can I
do to show better my gratitude for your call? For your graces? Help me see
that it makes a difference to you how I respond. To you I am not a number or
a statistic. I am a soul for which you died.
Resolution:Today I will deal with others in a way consistent with my
condition as an adopted child of God. I will avoid any pettiness or
selfishness in responding to the requests of others.
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THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
SUNDAY, JANUARY 26, MATTHEW 4:12-23
(Isaiah 8:23 ― 9:3; Psalm 27; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17)
SUNDAY, JANUARY 26, MATTHEW 4:12-23
(Isaiah 8:23 ― 9:3; Psalm 27; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17)
KEY VERSE: "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people" (v 19).
READING: When Jesus heard that John the Baptist had been arrested by Herod Antipas, he withdrew from Nazareth (in the region of Zebulon), and moved north to Capernaum (in the region of Naphtali). Matthew saw this move as fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy that a "great light" would shine on this land in darkness (Is 8:23-9:1). The northern territory of these two "brothers" (Zebulon and Naphtali) was the first to fall during the Assyrian invasion (733-32 BCE). The area was repopulated by Gentiles (2 Kgs 17:24), and thereafter was considered heathen by devout Jews in Judah in the south. Jesus called two pair of brothers as his first disciples: Peter and Andrew, and James and John, who responded "immediately" (v 20). Discipleship was more than being instructed by the master. Jesus called his disciples to share an intimate relationship with him, by learning from his example, participating in his mission and being dedicated to him to the point of death. These first disciples were totally committed as they left home, family and work in order to follow Jesus. These were only the first steps on a long and difficult road.
REFLECTING: Does the light of God's reign shine through me?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, help me be an instrument to bring others to you.
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
What is the Pope?
The pope is the most remarkable man on earth. And that's not
because of who he is but because of what he is. The man as such may be drab and
uninteresting, but as pope he's completely unique. He is the Vicar of Christ,
the visible head of the Roman Catholic Church.
January
26
Sts. Timothy and Titus
Sts. Timothy and Titus
Timothy (d. 97?): What we know from the New
Testament of Timothy’s life makes it sound like that of a modern harried
bishop. He had the honor of being a fellow apostle with Paul, both sharing the
privilege of preaching the gospel and suffering for it.
Timothy
had a Greek father and a Jewish mother named Eunice. Being the product of a
“mixed” marriage, he was considered illegitimate by the Jews. It was his
grandmother, Lois, who first became Christian. Timothy was a convert of Paul
around the year 47 and later joined him in his apostolic work. He was with Paul
at the founding of the Church in Corinth. During the 15 years he worked with
Paul, he became one of his most faithful and trusted friends. He was sent on
difficult missions by Paul—often in the face of great disturbance in local
churches which Paul had founded.
Timothy
was with Paul in Rome during the latter’s house arrest. At some period Timothy
himself was in prison (Hebrews 13:23). Paul installed him as his representative
at the Church of Ephesus.
Timothy
was comparatively young for the work he was doing. (“Let no one have contempt
for your youth,” Paul writes in 1 Timothy 4:12a.) Several references seem to
indicate that he was timid. And one of Paul’s most frequently quoted lines was
addressed to him: “Stop drinking only water, but have a little wine for the
sake of your stomach and your frequent illnesses” (1 Timothy 5:23).
Titus (d.
94?): Titus has the distinction of being a close friend and disciple
of Paul as well as a fellow missionary. He was Greek, apparently from Antioch.
Even though Titus was a Gentile, Paul would not let him be forced to undergo
circumcision at Jerusalem. Titus is seen as a peacemaker, administrator, great
friend. Paul’s second letter to Corinth affords an insight into the depth of
his friendship with Titus, and the great fellowship they had in preaching the
gospel: “When I went to Troas...I had no relief in my spirit because I did not
find my brother Titus. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia.... For
even when we came into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted
in every way—external conflicts, internal fears. But God, who encourages the
downcast, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus...” (2 Corinthians 2:12a, 13;
7:5-6).
When Paul
was having trouble with the community at Corinth, Titus was the bearer of
Paul’s severe letter and was successful in smoothing things out. Paul writes he
was strengthened not only by the arrival of Titus but also “by the
encouragement with which he was encouraged in regard to you, as he told us of
your yearning, your lament, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more....
And his heart goes out to you all the more, as he remembers the obedience of
all of you, when you received him with fear and trembling” (2 Corinthians 7:7a,
15).
The
Letter to Titus addresses him as the administrator of the Christian community
on the island of Crete, charged with organizing it, correcting abuses and
appointing presbyter-bishops.
Comment:
In Titus we get another glimpse of life in the early Church: great zeal in the apostolate, great communion in Christ, great friendship. Yet always there is the problem of human nature and the unglamorous details of daily life: the need for charity and patience in “quarrels with others, fears within myself,” as Paul says. Through it all, the love of Christ sustained them. At the end of the Letter to Titus, Paul says that when the temporary substitute comes, “hurry to me.”
In Titus we get another glimpse of life in the early Church: great zeal in the apostolate, great communion in Christ, great friendship. Yet always there is the problem of human nature and the unglamorous details of daily life: the need for charity and patience in “quarrels with others, fears within myself,” as Paul says. Through it all, the love of Christ sustained them. At the end of the Letter to Titus, Paul says that when the temporary substitute comes, “hurry to me.”
Quote:
“But when the kindness and generous love of God our Savior appeared, not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the holy Spirit, whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life. This saying is trustworthy” (Titus 3:4-8).
“But when the kindness and generous love of God our Savior appeared, not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the holy Spirit, whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life. This saying is trustworthy” (Titus 3:4-8).
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LECTIO DIVINA:
3RD SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME (A)
Lectio:
Sunday, January 26, 2014
The beginning of the proclamation of the Good News
and the call of the first disciples
and the call of the first disciples
Matthew 4:12-23
1. OPENING PRAYER
In the darkness of a starless night,
a night of no sense,
you, the Word of life,
like lightning in the storm of forgetfulness,
entered within the bounds of doubt
under cover of the limits of precariousness
to hide the light.
Words made of silence and of the ordinary,
your human words, heralds of the secrets of the Most High:
like hooks cast into the waters of death
to find man once more, immersed in his anxious follies,
and reclaim him, plundered,
through the attractive radiance of forgiveness.
To you, Ocean of Peace and shadow of eternal Glory,
I render thanks:
Calm waters on my shore that awaits the wave, I wish to seek you!
And may the friendship of the brothers protect me
when night falls on my desire for you. Amen.
a night of no sense,
you, the Word of life,
like lightning in the storm of forgetfulness,
entered within the bounds of doubt
under cover of the limits of precariousness
to hide the light.
Words made of silence and of the ordinary,
your human words, heralds of the secrets of the Most High:
like hooks cast into the waters of death
to find man once more, immersed in his anxious follies,
and reclaim him, plundered,
through the attractive radiance of forgiveness.
To you, Ocean of Peace and shadow of eternal Glory,
I render thanks:
Calm waters on my shore that awaits the wave, I wish to seek you!
And may the friendship of the brothers protect me
when night falls on my desire for you. Amen.
2. READING
a) The text:
12 Hearing that John had been arrested he withdrew to Galilee,
13 and leaving Nazareth he went and settled in Capernaum, beside the lake, on
the borders of Zebulon and Naphtali. 14 This was to fulfil what was spoken by
the prophet Isaiah: 15 Land of Zebulon! Land of Naphtali! Way of the sea beyond
Jordan. Galilee of the nations! 16 The people that lived in darkness have seen
a great light; on those who lived in a country of shadow dark as death a light
has dawned. 17 From then onwards Jesus began his proclamation with the message,
'Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is close at hand.' 18 As he was walking by
the Lake of Galilee he saw two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and his
brother Andrew; they were making a cast into the lake with their net, for they
were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, 'Come after me and I will make you
fishers of people.' 20 And at once they left their nets and followed him. 21
Going on from there he saw another pair of brothers, James son of Zebedee and
his brother John; they were in their boat with their father Zebedee, mending
their nets, and he called them. 22 And at once, leaving the boat and their
father, they followed him. 23 He went round the whole of Galilee teaching in
their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing all kinds
of disease and illness among the people.
b) A moment of silence:
Let us allow the voice of the Word to resonate within us.
3. MEDITATION
a) Questions for reflection:
- Jesus settled by the sea: the Son of God settled beside human beings.
The sea, this mysterious and boundless world, as immense in its horizon as the
heavens are; the one reflected in the other, bordering on each other, distinct,
a mutual reflection of calm and peace. Jesus, land of God, comes to live by the
sea and becomes land of humankind. Shall we go and live beside God as the Word
was before he came to us? Or is our fragile life in the flesh sufficient for
us?
- The people that lived in darkness has seen a great light: immersed in darkness, men and women live their
days in resigned pain and without the hope of anything changing for them. The
world where faith is denied is a world immersed in darkness until light comes
into it. Christ, the light of nations, has come into the world and darkness has
dissipated so that the light might shine. Has the darkness within us
dissipated?
- They left their nets at once and followed him. At once. Left. Followed. Difficult words for
our way of life. To respond to God: yes, but calmly. To leave whatever we are
doing for the Lord: yes, but first we must think well. How would it be if we
did as the Apostles did: at once, left everything, followed Him?
b) A key to the reading:
The God of the universe who created heaven and earth with his
Word alone, leaves his dwelling place and comes to live beside the sea in a
foreign land, to speak the language of earth so that heaven may be made known.
The Son of man, too, the master from Nazareth, leaves the home of his youth to
go to the Galilee of the peoples beyond the Jordan. The darkness of ignorance
that flickers across the centuries is pierced by a great light. The shadows of
death hear words that open new ways and new life: «Repent for the
kingdom of heaven is near». To change itinerary, to come close to the
light is not something strange for those who are familiar with the presence of
the Most High. Because the eyes get used to the presence and the human heart
easily forgets the past darkness when it is enjoying splendour. Repent. How?
Human relationship becomes the new way along the sea-shore. There are brothers
along the shore, pairs of brothers: Simon and Andrew, James and John. God does
not come to break these relationships, but takes them up so as to fish in a new
more shining life, in his life and his sea.
As he was walking… The way is a great secret of the spiritual
life. We are not called to stand still, but for us also to go by the sea, the sea
of the world where people are the fish, immersed in bitter, salty and inhuman
waters. Fishers of men. One cannot fish without the net of love, without a
father who guards the boat, without a boat to launch into the deep. The net of
human relationships is the only possible weapon of evangelisers, because with
love we can go on a great fishing expedition, and love must not only be
proclaimed but brought. To be called in pairs means precisely this bringing of
a visible, concrete love, the love of brothers who enjoy the same parents, the
love in whose veins flows the same blood, the same life.
Follow me… to call others to walk, fish and witness. The nets
break, but every fisherman is capable of repairing a broken net. Love is not a
knick-knack that is broken with use! The art of accommodation makes precious
every possible relationship among people. What matters is going, trusting in
that new name, always and still called LIFE.
Those called, go and follow Jesus. But where does Jesus go? He
walks all over Galilee, teaches in the synagogues, preaches the good news of
the kingdom, heals all kinds of diseases and infirmities of the people. Every
sea person, apostle of the Kingdom, will act like Jesus: will walk the ways of
the world and stop in the market places of people, will tell the good news of
God and will take care of the sick and infirm, will make visible the concern of
the Father for each one of his sons and daughters.
4. PRAYER (Is 43,1-21)
Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name, you are mine.
Should you pass through the waters, I shall be with you;
or through rivers, they will not swallow you up.
Should you walk through fire, you will not suffer,
and the flame will not burn you.
For I am Yahweh, your God, the Holy One of Israel,
your Saviour.
I have called you by your name, you are mine.
Should you pass through the waters, I shall be with you;
or through rivers, they will not swallow you up.
Should you walk through fire, you will not suffer,
and the flame will not burn you.
For I am Yahweh, your God, the Holy One of Israel,
your Saviour.
Since I regard you as precious,
since you are honoured and I love you,
I therefore give people in exchange for you,
and nations in return for your life.
since you are honoured and I love you,
I therefore give people in exchange for you,
and nations in return for your life.
Do not be afraid, for I am with you.
You yourselves are my witnesses,
declares Yahweh,
and the servant whom I have chosen,
so that you may know and believe me and understand that it is I.
I, I am Yahweh, and there is no other Saviour but me.
You yourselves are my witnesses,
declares Yahweh,
and the servant whom I have chosen,
so that you may know and believe me and understand that it is I.
I, I am Yahweh, and there is no other Saviour but me.
Thus says Yahweh, who made a way through the sea,
a path in the raging waters,
No need to remember past events,
no need to think about what was done before.
Look, I am doing something new, now it emerges;
can you not see it?
Yes, I am making a road in the desert and rivers in wastelands.
The people I have shaped for myself will broadcast my praises.
a path in the raging waters,
No need to remember past events,
no need to think about what was done before.
Look, I am doing something new, now it emerges;
can you not see it?
Yes, I am making a road in the desert and rivers in wastelands.
The people I have shaped for myself will broadcast my praises.
5. CONTEMPLATION
The waters of the sea that cover the earth, tell me of the flow
of your life, Lord. When sky and sea blend at the horizon, it seems as if I am
seeing all that you are being reloaded into our being. A flow that is a soft
wave of presence and an unspeakable story of love, made up of names, events,
ages, secrets, placid emotions and unforeseen troubles, a story made up of
lights and grey times, of enthusiasms and calm drowsiness. This sea that is
humanity invaded by your peace, contains words without end, the words of your
Word who wanted profoundly to take on the vest of the sand of time. How many
words on the shores and ocean beds that are silently gathered, if only I am
disposed to listen, your words that the waves of life bring to shore and that
are roads for navigators, ancient and new words, words never forgotten and
words wrapped in mystery. Lord, may the waves of humanity not sweep me away,
but may they become trails of communion for the fragile boat of my journey. May
I learn from you to launch into the deep to fish in the dark nights of the
human story, when the fish are more prone to allow themselves to be caught. At
your word, my God, I will cast the nets, and when I bring the boats to shore, I
will go on following the footsteps you have left on the shore of history, when
you chose to clothe yourself with our muddy clothes.
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