Sunday Scripture Study
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle A
Isaiah 8:23—9:3 (Ps 27:1,4,13-14) 1 Corinthians 1:10-13,17 Matthew 4:12-23
Overview of the Gospel:
• This Sunday’s Gospel reading takes place after Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11) and after John the Baptist had been arrested by King Herod (Matthew 14:1-12).
• Jesus travels from the Jordan where John had been baptizing (Matthew 3:13), stops by his hometown of Nazareth, and goes to live in the fishing village of Capernaum, on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee (verse 13). It is from here that his ministry will be based.
• This area was called “Galilee of the Gentiles” (verse 15) because of its mixed Jewish/pagan population. When ancient Israel was overrun by the Assyrians around 733 B.C., the lands of Zebulun and Napthali were the first to be devastated, its occupants deported. The prophet Isaiah foretold they would be the first to be restored when Israel’s glory returned.
• Jesus comes preaching a gospel of repentance, using the same words as John the Baptist (Matthew 3:2). The word “repent” (Greek: metanoia ) literally means to “change (your mind)”
Questions:
• In the 1 st reading, Isaiah prophesies a time when those who historically bore the brunt of enemy oppression, will be the first to see “a great light” of deliverance. How might this translate to spiritual terms? Who is in the best position to recognize that they need a Savior?
• In the 2 nd Reading, how do rivalries among believers impede the spread of the Kingdom of God? According to Saint Paul, what core message of the Gospel should we be focusing on?
• In today’s Gospel, how does Jesus react to John’s imprisonment?
• How had the land been “sitting in darkness” (verse 16, Isaiah 8:22—9:1)? What was Jesus’ message? What is the relation between repentance, the kingdom of heaven, and the light?
• What invitations does Jesus give to the fishermen? What seems unusual about their response? What prior knowledge of Jesus do you think they had (verses 13, 17; John 1:35- 42)? How might Zebedee (verse 21, 22) have felt?
• From how far away are the crowds coming (verses 23-25; refer to a Bible map)? What needs do they have? What are they learning about God’s kingdom?
• How has coming to know Jesus been like moving from darkness to light for you? In what ways does God’s kingdom seem present for you? In what ways does it seem “not yet”?
• Spiritually, are you still preparing the nets? Leaving the boat? Following hard after Jesus? Feeling left behind? What exactly does it mean to you to “repent”?
Catechism of the Catholic Church: §§ 1720, 1989, 878
Just as at sea those who are carried away from the direction of the harbor bring themselves back on course by a clear sign, on seeing a tall beacon light or some mountain peak coming into view, so Scripture may guide those adrift on the sea of life back into the harbor of the divine will. —St. Gregory of Nyssa
Jesus is Passing By
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Pastor’s Column
3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jesus' choice of Peter and Andrew seems almost an accident, doesn't it? Jesus just happens to be walking by the Sea of Galilee (Mt 4:12-23). Of course, he has made this area his home, at some distance from Nazareth where he grew up, but still in the northern part of the country.
Naturally, alongside this very productive lake are many fishermen. It is the most natural thing in the world to see. Peter, Andrew, James and John were in a fishing business together. They happened to be there when Jesus was passing by. Jesus watches them work, going about their daily tasks in life, going about their business.
And Jesus takes the initiative, engages them, calls them and their lives are never the same again.
Jesus is passing by. I think it is very significant that Jesus calls these first disciples while they are in the midst of their own lives and their work because this is also where Jesus wishes to engage us. This is where we will usually encounter Jesus, when we are going about the tasks that God has given us to do in life.
Sometimes we can think our lives are not important, our jobs lack meaning, our mission in life is nothing special; but this is not true with God! He makes use of everything. Everyone's role on earth is valuable in God’s plan.
Where has Christ passed by in your life today and were you able to recognize him? Will you be ready to say “yes” when he stops by to engage you in conversation or appears as someone you were not expecting?
While I was on vacation, I went to a Saturday evening Mass and sat in the pews. I don't get to do this very often. Here I am, a pastor incognito; nobody knows who I am. I looked a bit scruffy and a stranger. So what happens at the sign of peace? A man in front of me turns around (his wife does not) and I extend out my hand and say "peace". I get no hand--only a hard blank stare. OK. To the right of me is a couple who turn to greet each other profusely but who do not turn to greet me. To the left, another couple turned towards themselves. But you know Jesus was passing by all the same. A woman behind me, witnessing all this, tapped me on the shoulder and gave me a nice greeting along with a look of apology for what she had just witnessed. And Jesus was present in this greeting.
So each of us is called to make a difference right where we are in this world. Your role is very great. But it is a matter of keeping your eyes open and listening to the Holy Spirit right now. You may be slighted or overlooked by any number of people today but who really did give you Jesus?
He isn't going to appear as himself but he might appear as a stranger, incognito, looking for someone to be friendly. You can do that.
Remember, Jesus chose fishermen. Not theologians. Not professionals. No. People just like you and me. And that is the whole point.
Father Gary