3RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

Isaiah 8:23--9:3

Corinthians 1:10-13, 17

Matthew 4:12-23

A DAY CONSECRATED TO THE WORD OF GOD

Today’s readings are a wonderful illustration of certain realities of our Church today. We celebrate today the first edition of the Sunday of the Word of God as instituted by Pope Francis. We are made to understand that the Word of God is not only a fountain of life, full of unfathomable riches and hidden treasures, but also a lamp for our feet, a light on our path (cf. Ps 119:105). St Jerome once said: “the ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” It is therefore of no wonder that the first reading and the gospel present the beginning of Jesus’ public mission as bringing light to a region of darkness, the land of Zebulun and Nephtali. 

St Matthew interprets the beginning of Jesus’ mission as the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah who announced the salvation and liberation of the tribes of Zebulun and Nephtali. In effect, Jesus chose to begin his public ministry in a region that was regarded not only as a 'remote' province, a rebellious region, but also as the district of the gentiles. It is to this region of darkness that Jesus chose to bring the glorious light of the Kingdom of God, calling the people to conversion. Thus, three lessons are worth highlighting for today’s celebration.

First, the call to conversion is addressed to each one of us. We need to change our lifestyles and conform them to the Gospel. One of the concrete ways we can do so is to change our attitude towards the Word of God. Second, we will be able to achieve positive change in all areas of our lives and in our society if we allow God’s Word to take root in us. Some Christians do not know the value of the Word of God contained in the Bible which may be likened to a library and a pharmacy. How many of us have a Bible? If we do have, do we open it? Let us learn to read our Bible daily knowing that a prayerful reading of the Bible is a life-changing experience.

Finally, St Paul calls us Christians to unity and to avoid divisions, for Christ is not divided. Unfortunately, there is much division within the Church. There are many antagonistic groups in our parish communities. As such, let us strive to foster unity and harmony among us. As we celebrate God’s Word today, let us ask the Lord to grant us the grace to rediscover the richness of his Word in our daily lives. Amen

SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

Isaiah 49:3.5-6

Psalm 40

1Corinthians 1:1-3

John 1:29-34

JESUS: THE LAMB OF GOD

It is interesting to note that instead of reading a gospel passage from St Matthew as we do in the ordinary Sundays of Year A, the Church proposes instead a passage from the evangelist John, which is about John the Baptist’s witness to Jesus (John 1:29-34). And curiously, it is the only passage where the evangelist John talks about “the Holy Spirit coming down on Jesus like a dove from heaven”, an image that reminds us of Jesus’ baptism, as we heard last Sunday. Thus, today’s readings tend to be a continuation of last Sunday which was the solemnity of the Baptism of Jesus Christ. 

In effect, the first reading speaks of the mission of the Servant of God, a mission that extends not only to Israel, but also to the ends of the Earth (Isaiah 49:6). St Paul, in the second reading, gives us an image of such an extension when he said to the Corinthians that he has been called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus and by the will of God, to the church of God that is in Corinth with all those everywhere who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (1Cor. 1:1-3).

In the gospel, when John the Baptist saw Jesus coming to him, he said: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). To all who were with John the Baptist, Jesus was an ordinary man, the son of the carpenter, who was coming to be baptized by John like other Jews did. But inspired by the Holy Spirit, John recognizes him as the Lamb of God, as the Son of God. To his listeners who were Jews, the “Lamb of God” would inevitably remind them not only of the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery and the exodus (Ex. 12) but also of the Temple sacrifices and especially the ritual on the Day of Atonement (Lev. 16).  

In this perspective, Jesus is the Lamb, the sacrificial victim, offered for the expiation of the sin of the world, and for our liberation and salvation. As such, the Baptist introduces us into the mystery of the Passion and death of Jesus right at the beginning of his public ministry. Jesus has come to die for us, manifesting God’s infinite love for us. As we begin the ordinary time, therefore, let us be conscious of this love of God and be grateful each day. And let us not forget that we are also called to love one another as the Lord has loved us. Amen

SOLEMNITY OF THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD, YEAR A

Isaiah 42:1-4.6-7 

Psalm 29

Acts 10:34-38  

Matthew 3:13-17 

BAPTISM OF THE LORD

We celebrate today the baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ, which brings to an end the Christmas celebrations. We might very well wonder, along with John the Baptist, why Jesus needed to be baptized. For we are much aware that John’s baptism was a sign of repentance from sin and as a way of preparing the people for the coming of Jesus the Messiah. But Jesus is the Son of God, “God’s anointed”, full of the Holy Spirit, just as Peter’s discourse in the second reading tells us. Again, Isaiah’s prophecy in the first reading undoubtedly makes reference to Jesus: “Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have put my spirit…” If so, why should Jesus come for baptism from John?

According to Jesus himself, his baptism was meant to “fulfill all righteousness”, that is in conformity with God’s will. His baptism therefore was not only an expression of his obedience to his Father’s will, but also the revelation of his identity and mission at the beginning of his public life. The gospel passage tells us that after Jesus has been baptized, three phenomena happened: the heavens were opened, the Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove, and a voice was heard saying "You are my Son, in whom I am well pleased." 

The opening of the heavens reminds us of the shutting up of the gate of heaven as a result of the fall of Adam and Eve. The descent of the Holy Spirit reminds us of the Spirit of God that was moving above the waters at the time of creation, while the dove reminds us of the end of the flood in the days of Noah.

 

All this tells us that Jesus Christ had come to inaugurate a new era, the era of grace that makes us new creatures in the Holy Spirit. This is the Holy Spirit that we received at our baptism making us sons and daughters of God. As we celebrate this feast today, let us thank God for the gift of the sacrament of baptism and ask him to renew his grace in us so that we may be faithful to our baptismal promises. Amen

SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY

Isaiah 60:1-6 

Psalm 71

 Ephesians 3:2-3.5-6 

Matthew 2:1-12

GOD HAS MANIFESTED HIMSELF TO US

We celebrate today the Epiphany of our Lord Jesus Christ. The word “epiphany” means manifestation, revelation or showing forth. Through a star, God revealed the birth of his Son to the magi in the east. God became man for the salvation of all. Therefore, he manifests himself to all.

There is no stranger in God’s plan of salvation. He leaves no one out. He adapts himself to our human condition. To the world, he reveals himself by the cry of a baby. To the shepherds, he revealed himself in a manger; to the magi, through a star. To the pagans of St Paul’s time, he revealed the “mystery” of his love through the proclamation of the Gospel (Eph. 3:2-3.5-6). To us too, He manifests himself in various ways, especially in the daily events of our life, in the Word of God and in the celebration of the Eucharist.

What makes the difference is our response to him. When the magi recognized the revelation of God, they set out in a long journey looking for the newly born King. They found him, adored him and offered him precious gifts. When king Herod heard of the birth of Jesus, he wanted to kill him. What is our respond to God’s revelation: are we like the Magi or like Herod? In fact, our response must be to accept Jesus as our Star, the Light that enlightens all men. 

When we accept him, we must also radiate the light of Christ to the world. We must rise and shine, as the first reading exhorts us (Is. 60:1-6). Rising and shining are characteristics of the sun, which gives light, life and warmth to all. We are therefore called to shine in the world, covered by the darkness of sin, wickedness, selfishness, injustice, corruption, violence, hatred, unforgiveness, etc. May the Lord help us to become little stars that lead people to Christ. Amen.