THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR B

Jonah 3:1-5.10

Psalm 24:4-9

1Corinthians 7:29-21

Mark 1:14-20

An Urgent Call to Conversion

We celebrate today the “Sunday of the Word of God”, inaugurated by Pope Francis two years ago. On this day, the Word of God addresses to each one of us an urgent call to conversion. In the first reading, the people of Nineveh repented at the proclamation of the prophet Jonah (Jonah 3:1-5.10). In the second reading, St Paul calls on the Corinthians to turn away from the things of this world, because the world as we know, is passing away (1Cor. 7:29-21). The gospel reading speaks of the beginning of the public ministry of Jesus which bears the imprint of the call to repentance. It is interesting to note that Jesus began his public ministry when John the Baptist was arrested and jailed. But the message of John and that of Jesus remained the same: call to repentance (Mark 1:14-20).

From the readings, two things are worth noting about conversion or repentance. First, the call to conversion is an urgent call. “Only forty days and Nineveh will be destroyed” (first reading). “Our time is growing short,” says Paul. “The time has come and the Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel,” proclaims Jesus. Thus, conversion is now. One cannot say: “I will repent tomorrow.” It is a daily affair.

Second, conversion implies a twofold movement: turning away from and turning to. When the people of Nineveh heard the proclamation of the prophet Jonah, they turned away from their evil ways and turned to God. When the disciples heard Jesus’ call, they turned away from their nets and profession, and turned to Jesus. They followed him.

Ask yourself what do you have to turn away from in order to turn to God: attachment to worldly things and pleasures, double allegiance, gossip, insincerity, unfaithfulness in your relationship, arrogance, immorality, etc. All these things are incompatible with the Word of God. And you must make a daily effort to avoid them. Remember, the time is now. Repent and live!

May God bless us and teach us his ways.

Amen