Dear Friends,
On this Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, I am particularly struck by our readings for this weekend. May I suggest right at the very outset that when you get home, and during this coming week, you once again prayerfully read the readings and psalm. Perhaps several times throughout the week. The word of God, chosen by Mother Church for this weekend, has so much to say to us and teach us in this particular moment of history.
The prophet Isaiah and the people of God in his time were no strangers to suffering, political upheaval, oppression, their land being overtaken by foreign powers. The history of God’s chosen people is replete with examples of the people disobeying God, of turning away from His commands, of going after their own interests and desires, of trying to be masters over life. Sounds all too familiar, wouldn’t you say.
And in the midst of those realities, Isaiah is telling us that the God of heaven and earth, brings forth His light, His power: redeeming His people and offering them His joy. God does not give up on us. He never abandons us. He is always looking to bring us back to Himself.
In our Gospel, Matthew is reporting on the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. He repeats the prophecy of Isaiah showing that from the place of darkness, Jesus is revealed as the “light that has arisen.” Then Matthew writes, “Jesus began to preach and say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” After calling the first apostles, we hear Jesus “teaching in synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people.”
Jesus is truly savior, healer, redeemer, as we pray in Psalm 27 this weekend, Jesus is lord, “my light and my salvation.” Therefore whom or what should we fear in this world? No one and nothing. Rather our faith in Jesus leads us to “wait for the Lord with courage; (to) be stouthearted,” to follow after Jesus as quickly and as completely as did the apostles whom He called in this weekend’s Gospel.
Turning to Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, we see him addressing the divisions and rivalries among them. They are breaking into camps ~ who belongs to Paul, who to Apollos, who to Cephas, who to Christ. Paul exhorts them to unity in Christ who alone was crucified and is risen, the Son of God, the Son of Mary, the only One who forgives and heals all those who repent and believe in the Gospel.
Indeed, may we enter into God’s joy and rejoicing, with hearts filled with gratitude for His mercy, healing and abundant love. May we embrace Jesus and His cross, knowing that He helps in every trial, difficulty, or suffering; and that whatever sacrifices we make, joining them to His Cross, are acceptable and held as treasure in heaven.
God bless you, God love you,
Monsignor McCulken
