Word that Works
THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
We are in the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, and we also celebrate the Sunday of the Word of God. Let us focus our point of reflection on the word of God as we break and expose the gospel that we've heard. In the first part of the gospel, he heard the word "light," and in the Hebrew tradition, whenever we hear the word "light," it always refers to the Torah, the Word of God. In the latter part of the gospel, it tells the story of the calling of the first Pope, Peter, and his brother Andrew. Their response gives us the themes as we delve deeper in relation to the Word of God and the calling of God.
First, we heard that they left. When Jesus said, "Come after me," they left their nets. Perhaps we can think of nets as our comfort zone. For it is what they have been using for a long time as fishermen. This is the item that they have held for many years, and by just following Jesus' command to "come after me," they are docile enough to leave their comfort zone. This is the invitation for those who wish to follow him. Second, we heard the preaching of Jesus to repentance. As we leave our comfort zone, the purification of our motives begins. Repentance is the total transformation of our mind and heart into the mind and heart of Christ. There, we can see our true unworthiness and realize our need for someone who can heal us. The motive should be a total act of love for God. We can do this through our daily examination of conscience and bringing all of this into the furnace of His Divine love. Lastly, we heard that they followed him and called other men to him. We also heard the name James, the son of Zebedee, and he also left not just something but someone in his life, that being his father. Let us take notice also of the description of how James left everything, "immediately left his boat and their father and followed him." The docility and the receptiveness of James' response to the word of Jesus truly set an example of discipleship.
The words of Jesus make the disciples immediately leave, repent, and follow the incarnate word of God. There is light in Jesus that no one can deny once they see it—a light that will overcome the darkness of life, a light that never dims, a light that can inspire other people to be on fire.
