THIRD SUNDAY OF THE YEAR

Isaiah 8:23-9:3, 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17, Matthew 4:12-23

 

The readings of today tell us about the Christian vision and mission and are intended to stir us into action. The vision is seen in the proclamation of the kingdom of God to all people and the mission of every person is to proclaim the word of God to all.   

The Kingdom of God is the divine rule in the hearts of people.  For his mission and task of proclamation Jesus invites an intimate band of people to be his disciples who would share his vision and mission and also become his witnesses in the world. 

In the First Reading prophet Isaiah reminds that God’s light is always being offered to people who had suffered exile, oppression, fear and shame.  He tells them that the people and their kings have turned down the invitation to come to true faith.  Because they did not rely on God for security, the kingdom is destined to weaken and fall.  Isaiah showed them that God through this new prince would bring them out of the darkness of Assyrian oppression into a time of light and joy. 

Today’s Second Reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians gives an insight that walking in the Light means to be united in Christ. He was writing to a community suffering with numerous factions and divisions.  Each faction had picked its own hero instead of directing everything to Christ.  During his time the Christians in Corinth were divided into factions and identified themselves with various community leaders that they belonged to Paul, or Apollo or Peter and some said they are for Christ. 

The Good news that Jesus preaches is that people have to repent and change themselves as the kingdom of God is near. It is the good news of hope, peace, promise, truth and salvation that is contained in the kingdom. Jesus comes to his people as the herald or the messenger of good news.

As Jesus began his public ministry his first act was to gather some disciples or co-workers who would share his work and his mission. Jesus recruited Simon, who is called Peter, his brother Andrew, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. When Jesus called them their response was immediate.  They left everything, their fishing nets, their parents and family and followed Jesus to be Disciples of Christ.  

The story of the calling of the first disciples showed their immediate and unconditional response to the summons of Jesus. The initiative for the call comes from Jesus but their response was total.  Even though they had no previous knowledge of Jesus, they dropped what they were doing, left all their possessions and their dear ones to be with Jesus. 

This calling his first disciples indicates the beginning of the time of the church.  On the surface level this may not make any sense to an outsider. However, it emphasizes that there was something almost indefinable about the person of Jesus that drew these first followers like a very strong magnet. They left everything not knowing where all this would lead. 

Today’s readings are intended to stir us into action.  The Gospel tells us that the spread of Christ’s kingdom depends on us today as it was with the Apostles during the time of Jesus.  Paul’s letter to the Corinthians counsels us today not to participate in the factions within our church and between the churches. 

Prophet Isaiah reminds us that God’s light is always being offered to us as it was to a people who had suffered exile, oppression, fear and shame.  We who practice our religion should walk as those faithful people of old walked, allowing one’s whole being to become flooded with joyous light.  Light acquires transcendental quality, penetrating the soul, opening the heart and making our life open to the many who seek the truth.

- @Avinash Bitra OFM Cap.