Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

 

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. Always the Prophet Isaiah is able to raise our hopes and bring us joy. This prophecy is really about the tribes of Israel, which disappeared along with others in the north. Even though a tribe disappears, Isaiah can tell us that light will come upon it. And now you and are members of those who walked in darkness and dwelt in the land of gloom. Light has come upon us in Jesus Christ.

The First Letter to the Corinthians continues this theme of being separated from Christ. It is we who divide Christ and who should long for unity in Christ. Especially when we look at the divisions among us Christians, our hearts should burn once more that we may all be one in Jesus Christ. We don’t have to worry about how or about when. We need only long for unity and pray for unity.

In Matthew’s Gospel we are brought back to the Land of Zebulun and the Land of Naphtali—these two tribes among others which disappeared. This area had become Galilee of the Gentiles, a place where non-Jewish people now dwelt alongside of the Jews who were also living there. Thus, the area of Nazareth did not have a good reputation among observant Jewish people.

It is from here, a place without the wonder and glory of Jerusalem, that Jesus begins to call his followers. Most of us are of that same type: not the best in the world, not the most observant in the world, but people who are seeking the Lord (Abbot Philip).

It is to us that Jesus speaks today: Come after me. Jesus continues to call us to follow Him, to be formed by Him, to walk with Him in His life so that we can share in His death and Resurrection.

We are also like these early followers in that we have doubts at times, we wonder if we are foolish, we hear teachings of the Lord that we find difficult. And yet we also realize that there is no other Lord who gives life. To whom shall we go if we leave Him. We can be like Peter and doubt and deny. We can be like Thomas and speak bravely about our conditions to follow the Lord and believe in Him. In the end, there is no other and we can begin to walk with joy with our Lord.

 

Peace and all good!

Fr. Valery Burusu

Parochial Administrator