FOURTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13

Psalm 146

1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Matthew 5:1-12

THE PATHS TO BLESSEDNESS

On this Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time, we begin the Sermon on the Mount as presented by the evangelist Saint Matthew. Jesus goes up to the mountain, sits down and begins to teach his disciples. He proclaims “blessed” (happy) the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the merciful, those who hunger for righteousness, the pure in heart, the persecuted. 

In this way, Matthew presents Jesus as the new Moses and the Beatitudes as the “Magna Carta” of the new People of God. The Beatitudes are therefore the paths to true happiness and the secrets to free oneself from the false values of the world. 

Moreover, the message of the Beatitudes runs through the first and second readings. For Saint Paul, God chooses the foolish of the world to shame the wise, the weak of the world to shame the strong. He chooses the lowly and despised, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something, so that no human being might boast before God. According to the prophet Zephaniah, only the powerless and the poor, those who seek justice and humility will be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger. 

As such, today’s readings remind us that we are the People of God. God has chosen us to be part of his Kingdom. He has called us to blessedness. But to be truly happy or attain blessedness, we do not need to live by human standards, but rather by the standards of the Gospel. In fact, true happiness is not found in fame, wealth, power or earthly pleasures. We experience true happiness when we have good relationships with God and with others. We are happy when we recognize our dependence on God; for without him, we are nothing. We are happy and blessed when we are humble, meek, forgiving, merciful in our relationships with others, because arrogance, pride and selfishness lead to self-destruction.

 

Let us therefore ask the Lord the grace to live by his standards so as to be truly happy not only in this present life, but also in the life to come. Amen

THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

Isaiah 8:23 – 9:3

Psalm 26 (27)

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 that mark the Church today. First, we are celebrating the Week of Christian Unity; and providentially, the second reading is about Saint Paul’s exhortation to the Corinthians on unity. According to him, Christ is not divided; so, they should avoid divisions and rivalries. Unfortunately, there is much division and shameful oppositions not only among Christians but also within the Catholic Church. These divisions are known to all of us. We need therefore to strive to foster unity and harmony among ourselves.

Second, we celebrate today the Sunday of the Word of God as instituted by Pope Francis. Indeed, 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). Interestingly, St Matthew interprets the beginning of Jesus’ mission as the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah who announced the end of darkness for the tribes of Zebulun and Nephtali, for God has smashed the yoke, the pole, the rod of oppression. Jesus chose to begin his public ministry in this region in order to bring his light to this people “sitting in darkness”. He began to preach saying: “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand”. In that region, he also called his first disciples.

Therefore, today’s celebration challenges us in two ways. First, we are called to rediscover the value of the Word of God contained in the Bible which may be likened to a library and a pharmacy. It contains all we need for our spiritual growth. Let us also remember that “ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ” (Saint Jerome).

Second, one of the things that bring us together as Christians is the Word of God. Let this Word take root in our lives. Let us not be only its listeners or readers, but also its doers. Let us put this Word that calls us to unity and harmony into practice, so that by our lives, we may reveal to others that we are truly disciples of Jesus Christ, he who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen

SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

Isaiah 49:3.5-6

Psalm 40

1Corinthians 1:1-3

John 1:29-34

THE CHOSEN SERVANT

Dear brothers and sisters, in today’s liturgy, we note that instead of 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 (John 1:29-34). And curiously, it is the only passage where the evangelist talks about “the Holy Spirit coming down on Jesus like a dove from heaven”, an image that reminds us of Jesus’ baptism, which we celebrated few days ago. Thus, today’s readings manifest clearly the transition from the Christmas season to the Ordinary Time. For this reason, I would like to underline two things for our meditation. 

First, John the Baptist identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God and the Son of God. With these significant titles, John introduces Jesus to his Jewish listeners as the Promised Messiah. But he posits that Jesus is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. This signifies that Jesus is the Servant who will take upon himself the sin of the whole world, that is, of humanity. We may see here the fulfilment of what the prophet Isaiah said: “It is too little, says the Lord, for you to be my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and restore the survivors of Israel; I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth” (Is. 49:6). Therefore, as God’s Chosen, Jesus Christ has come to save us and reveal God’s forgiving love to all. 

Finally, it is noteworthy that this universal dimension of Christ’s saving work has been realized thanks to the proclamation of the Apostles. Like Saint Paul, the Apostles were called and sent to preach the Good News to all.

Today’s readings remind us therefore of our mission during this Ordinary Time: we are called to make known God’s salvation to all. This way, each of us may identify himself in the words of Isaiah: “You are my servant, Israel, through whom I show my glory”. Each of us is a chosen vessel of God; through us, he wants to reveal his glory to the world. Let us pray that he may make each of us a living testimony of his wondrous love and mercy. Amen.

SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY

Isaiah 60,1-6

Psalm 71

Ephesians 3:2-3.5-6

Matthew 2:1-12

THE LORD’S MANIFESTATION

We celebrate today the Epiphany of our Lord Jesus Christ. The word “epiphany” means manifestation, revelation or showing forth. In this sense, the feast of the Epiphany indicates the manifestation of the Lord, who, as Saint Paul tells us in the second reading, makes himself known to all the nations, today represented by the Magi. In this way, we see revealed the glory of a God who has come for everyone, without distinction.

Indeed, there is no stranger in God’s plan of salvation. He leaves no one out, but reveals himself to everyone. He adapts himself to the condition of each one of us. To the world, he revealed himself in a little child lying in a manger. To the Magi, through a star. To the pagans of St Paul’s time, he revealed his love through the proclamation of the Gospel. To us too, he manifests himself in various ways, in the daily events of our life, in his Word and in the celebration of the Sacraments. 

What makes the difference is our response to him. When the Magi saw the star of a new born king, they set out on a journey full of risks, without safe roads and clear maps. They found the child Jesus, paid him homage and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The worshipped him. In fact, they were filled with joy when they discovered the place where the child was. On the contrary, when King Herod heard the news of the birth of a new king, he was greatly troubled and frustrated. Then, he later sought to kill the child. 

As for us, let us imitate the Magi in our response to God. Like them, let us embark in a continuous search for the Lord. Let us accept Jesus as our Star and entrust ourselves to him in the wonder of worship.

Enlightened by his light, let us rise and shine, as the first reading exhorts us (Is. 60,1-6). Indeed, rising and shining are characteristic 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. 

Happy Feast to you all !