January 22, 2017

  3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time A Isaiah 8:23 - 9:3;1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17; Matthew 4: 12-23 What was it like to receive Jesus’ call to follow Him? Was there any previous contact? Does it matter to God what I was doing when He called, or am I preparing myself for this call? Did He call me when I had time to devote myself to His mission? The followers that Jesus called were asked to deepen their understanding that God is with them and God works through them to bring others to a knowledge and belief in the living God. What seemed to never be the case was “Why me?” We never can figure out God’s ways but we can come to some sort of understanding of where He is leading me. Isaiah was writing about King Ahaz. Isaiah was looking for the King to unite the people. The King was not relying on God at all. The king was blind to the ways of God. Isaiah describes this lack of understanding as ‘darkness.’ Instead of trusting in God, the king struck up alliances with the Assyrian Empire. This territory was occupied by the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali (better known as Galilee). Because it bordered on the pagan territory it would have been associated with darkness. Unfortunately this darkness enveloped the whole northern region of Israel. It was the first province of Israel to be conquered by Assyria in 732 BC. This is where the lands had great harvests and were productive for farming and grazing. They were also the first areas that invading armies ransacked. Isaiah was predicting the future liberation for the people living in that region. . Today’s opening lines show this. “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.” Isaiah instructed the people to turn to God rather than to powerful nations. He was telling future nations to always rely on God. In today’s Gospel Matthew sees Isaiah’s prophecy as fulfilled in Jesus. Do I place my trust in God? And when do I turn just to myself for answers? Paul launches a passionate appeal for unity in the community of Corinth. He wants his followers to agree on what they say so that there are no divisions. We are all united in Christ, not in division. Am I for Christ or am I against Christ. Do I live as Christ lived or do I live according to me; which may have some things of Christ when it is convenient but for the most part it is about me, not God? John the Baptist’s ministry immediately preceded Jesus’ ministry. Today Matthew is zeroing in of the beginning of Jesus’ mission at Capernaum, in the Galilee region. Isaiah said how these people ‘lived in darkness’ and now are seeing the light which is Jesus. John the Baptist had already been imprisoned. Jesus starts in the northern region. Jesus begins His mission calling all to repentance. This is a radical conversion of heart and living one’s life according to God’s instruction. Jesus begins to call those who are willing to allow Him to rule over their hearts . This will spread God’s presence and make disciples of all nations. First He calls four fishermen at the Sea of Galilee. This was located on the international trade routes. Jesus’ is calling those who will have to make a decision to leave behind what they value, their life’s occupation. So they are not jumping at the opportunity to better themselves. It doesn’t seem that these four, Peter, Andrew, James and John had any previous contact with Jesus. The first two left their own business and the later two left their father’s business. They begin their apprenticeship by listening to Jesus teach and watching Him heal the sick. What is the message for us? Like these first four, since we are called as apostles, we too at various times will be asked to leave something behind so that we can follow Jesus. If I follow Jesus, I have to turn my heart to Him. Do I believe, as Jesus taught? Matthew is comparing the arrival of Jesus on the scene to the coming of a great light to a people who had been living in deep darkness. In order to appreciate a light, we must be conscious of our darkness and have a desire to escape from it. This means that I must realize that I have to change and want to change. Jesus described His mission when He said, “I am the light of the world.’ To change means that I am willing to reform my life from what encouraged darkness and even the parts that hid in the darkness to be people of light. Jesus uses the expression “ Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” What is there in my life that I want to hang on to? What do I just want to keep and not let go even though at some time, I know I have to let go? We look to what Matthew is urging his faith community to adopt: Repent. The Greek word probably would be better understood if we use ‘change the direction of your life.’ Matthew wants to show us that Jesus did not come to give us some kind of simplistic individualistic piety. He came to create totally new structures that would revolutionize our society. He came to establish the Kingdom of God. What is this? Its God’s Kingdom of Love. Jesus came to start this movement, to bring an entirely new vision. That’s why Paul is telling this community that there is no room for bickering or back-biting. There should not be factions or different groups. The only group is “I am for Christ” (verse 12). This is why Jesus came along and spotted these first four at their nets. He’s telling them, ‘Come along, there is work to be done.’ Immediately they left their nets. There is not time to think what am I to do…how much should I pack…what will my spouse and kids say…who will take care of the business. Our business is about God’s Kingdom on Earth. It is about the Kingdom of Love. Am I loving or am I not? Am I showing others that this is my role…now… and all the time? Or am I struggling in this? So I reflect on: • I look at the times I have provided a reconciling presence in times of division? What led me to do what I did? Did I express my gratitude to God? • Jesus calls the Apostles by name. How does He know them? He is God. They leave everything and follow Him. How can they? Their ancestors had awaited this moment for centuries and now they see the prophecy fulfilled in the Man standing before the by the shores of Galilee. Now God calls me today…He knows where He is needed and where He needs me to bring the healing…love…patience…care… forgiveness…compassion…SO what holds me up? What spurns me on? Why? • What darkness feels overwhelming to me? • Where do I see the light of Christ calling me out of darkness to be a marvelous light? Why do I ‘buck this’?

 Sacred Space 2017 shares: “Jesus ventures into regions where pagan influences are palpable. The demoniacs are in the grip of the prince of darkness; a dark shadow hangs on the lives of the epileptics; and the lives of the sick are blighted also. But Jesus, lord of light, launches the kingdom of heaven—rolling back the darkness. Does some dark influence also tend at times to pull me down in spirit? I open myself to the healing light of Jesus.” Prayer: “Generous God, I want to believe that I will see your bounty in the land of the living, both in heaven and here on earth. Give me courage not only to see Your light but also to become Your light that brings rejoicing, peace, and hope to our world.”