Sunday of the Word of God: Light, Unity, and Discipleship
Listening the Spirit
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful. And kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And you will renew the face of the earth.
Lord, by the light of the Holy Spirit you have taught the hearts of your faithful. In the same Spirit help us to relish what is right and always rejoice in your consolation.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Listening the Word: Matthew 4:12-23
When Jesus heard that John had been arrested,
he withdrew to Galilee.
He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea,
in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali,
that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet
might be fulfilled:
Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles,
the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light,
on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death
light has arisen.
From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say,
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers,
Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew,
casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen.
He said to them,
“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
At once they left their nets and followed him.
He walked along from there and saw two other brothers,
James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John.
They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets.
He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father
and followed him.
He went around all of Galilee,
teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom,
and curing every disease and illness among the people.
Reflection
On September 30th 2019, our late Pope Francis published an Apostolic Letter titled Aperuit illis meaning “He opened” their minds to understand the scriptures” which can be found in Luke 24:44, and he instituted this, on the Sunday of the Word of God. Since then, the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time has always been dedicated to the celebration, reflection and proclamation of the Word of God. Which is the basis for strengthening Christian unity.
In fact, we can read this statement of the Pope: “Celebrating the Sunday of the Word of God expresses an ecumenical value, because Sacred Scripture indicates to those who listen the path to follow in order to achieve authentic and solid unity.” (Aperuit illis §3). For our meditation, dear beloved, let us draw some points from today’s readings;
Jesus, light of nations came to journey with us
Jesus left the outskirts of Nazareth, a lost village located in the middle of the hills of Galilee, to settle in the urban center of Capernaum, on the shores of Lake Gennesaret, which serves as a “crossroads” of nations. He comes to dwell among men, though public sinners, to share in their ordinary life and to transform it with his shining presence.
In the same way, He makes himself to be present in our lives, sharing the little details of the simple life so that where we are, we may be joined by the love of God. In other words, he wants to be a “companion” of our whole existence, in order to fill our lives with his divine life that we need.
Meanwhile, the invitation addressed to us on this specific Sunday is to allow ourselves to be reconciled to him who unceasingly calls us to leave our darkness to embrace his light. As we conclude the week of Prayer for the Christian unity with the theme “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope …” (Eph 4:4), we are been reminded to embody His Light and to walk through it in our daily lives because the LORD is our light and our salvation (cf. Ps 27: 1a).
Therefore, our filial identity would show the difference from others thanks to our choices inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Jesus calls sinners to become fishers of men
The vocation of those who follow Jesus is to welcome his grace, his mercy and to share it like the Good news that changes the heart of people who trust in Him. With our worries and hopes, we are the disciples of the Lord’s Mercy and ware for the human race. Indeed, Jesus invites us to a relationship of friendship that shows his desire to restore and heal the life of each of us in communion with God the Father. That is why amidst our daily lives, we have to be available in listening to his voice with courage, working hard for harmony, generosity, reconciliation, and Unity. .
Actually, following Jesus daily and entering into the dynamic of his friendship opens up a vast horizon of possible commitment to the believer. Even if we cannot do without it, the love of Christ encourages the disciple to a range of good deeds. The love of Jesus makes the relationship with God real and the work of mercy fruitful, for one’s neighbour and for oneself.
Let us pray, so that we may be an instrument of the Lord’s mercy and not prevent his action towards our brothers and sisters.
We give you thanks, o Lord Jesus, for calling me, though sinner to share in your mission, to scatter the darkness of our world by my life. Be always praised for the desire you have to be my companion, to strengthen me in my journey. Increase my faith, hope and charity, so that I may enter into the dynamics of your kingdom and that a great network of believers may be established in this world, that they may be converted and that they may find the peace and harmony that you wish to restore in us. Amen.
Reflection Questions
1. In what specific areas of my daily life am I allowing Jesus to be my ‘companion,’ and where am I still resisting His light?
2 .As someone called to be a ‘fisher of men’ and an instrument of the Lord’s mercy, how am I actively working toward reconciliation, harmony, and unity in my family, community, or Church?
