Third Sunday of the Year January 22, 2023
Readings: Isaiah
8:23-9:3, 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17, Matthew 4:12-23
Sunday of the Word of God
Today’s gospel is on Jesus beginning his public work. After
living a private life for more than thirty years, how did Jesus know exactly
when to end the hidden life and begin his public work? Our first thoughts are
to suppose that, of course, God his Father spoke to him and communicated to him
exactly when to begin. He got a special green light from God. But today’s
gospel suggests that Jesus probably arrived at this decision the way most
people do, that is, by inferring from the things happening in their lives what
God is trying to say to them.
The First Reading of today tells us that the people who
walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep
darkness, on them great light have shined. Today’s Second Reading from the
First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians gives an insight that walking in the
Light means to be united in Christ. The readings are fitting for the day – as we
celebrate the Sunday of the Word of God.
In 2019, Pope Francis established the Sunday of the Word of
God to be celebrated each year on the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time. As the
Holy Father stated in his apostolic letter instituting the observance,
“Devoting a specific Sunday of the liturgical year to the word of God can
enable the Church to experience anew how the risen Lord opens up for us the treasury
of his word and enables us to proclaim its unfathomable riches before the
world” (Aperuit illus, no. 2).
The Gospel of today tells us that the spread of Christ’s
kingdom depends as much upon us today as it did upon the Apostles during the
time of Christ. The Gospel passage tells
us that Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and
proclaiming the good news of the kingdom.
The Kingdom of God is the divine rule in the hearts of people. For his mission and task of proclamation
Jesus invites an intimate band of people to be his disciples who would share
his vision and mission and also become his witnesses in the world.
Another story will help you understand it better. A poor
illiterate man wanted to be baptized. The parish priest asked him many
questions to see whether he was fit for baptism. “Where was Jesus born? How
many apostles did he have? How many years did he live? Where did he die? The
poor man knew nothing of all these questions. Irritated, the priest then said,
“At least you know prayers like the Our Father and the I Believe”? The man
again shook his head. “What do you know then?” asked the priest flabbergasted.
The man explained, “Before I met Jesus I was a drunkard who beat up my wife and
children; I lost my job and was wasting my life.” Then he continued, “But after
encountering Jesus, I’ve quit drinking. I work hard and have begun to love my
family. For me Jesus is my personal Saviour!”
We meet the Lord in the Bible. He wants to speak to us and
He desires that we walk in light. Just like the first story we do not go to God
– that exactly is our problem. Let us go to Him and experience him as our
personal Saviour.
Happy Sunday
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