Vamshi Eedara csc –
Readings: Is 8:23-9:3; 1Cor 1:10-13,17; Mt 4: 12-23
Today we are into the third Sunday of ordinary time. The three readings invite us to understand that Jesus has saved us, and we are called to spread the kingdom of God to others. In the first reading we see that prophet Isaiah speaks about the prophetic reference to Christ as the light that dispels the darkness of this world. In the second reading we see that St. Paul advises the Corinthians to live as children of light, like avoiding divisions and rivalries, among them. In the same way we also need to avoid the divisions and rivalries that are existing in
the catholic church.
In the gospel reading we see St. Matthew explains that what prophet Isaiah prophesied in the first reading has been fulfilled through the preaching and healing ministry of Jesus. By his ministry Jesus is inviting the people to the kingdom of God. Through the call for repentance Jesus has brought light to people who are living in darkness, thus fulfilling God’s original promise.
Jesus used exactly the same words John the Baptist had used Repent for the kingdom of heaven has come near. Repent usually means to be sorry or to regret for the wrong actions we have done in the past. Jesus however is asking each one of us more than that. The call is not just to be sorry for our past sins and to avoid them in the future. It is a call for a change of direction from now on and into the future. A right about turns from sin to God. The Greek word for repent is Metanoia which means a radical change in one’s thinking.
It means looking at our life in a completely new way. It is only when we begin to make this radical change that we begin to become part of that kingdom and God starts ruling our lives. Then we become the children of light and we may be able to spread that light in this world.