CHOSEN AND CALLED TO BE FISHER OF MEN

V SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Luke 5:1-11

In this time of ours, whoever doesn’t accept the politically correct is excluded and cancelled. DEI - diversity, equity and inclusion - are essential parts of political correctness that supersedes even religious belief. Thus, it has spread the idea that all religions are the same and all lead to God. Therefore, there is no need to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ or call people to conversion. If that is so, this Sunday’s readings are out of step with that way of thinking. Isaiah heard God’s call and answered: “Here I am, send me” (Is 6:8). He was ready to be at the service of the Lord, making God’s word known to the people.

In the Gospel, Jesus calls Simon, proposing the mission of being a fisher of men. In carrying out his mission, Simon will have to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ, calling people to repentance and conversion. They must turn away from the false gods that enslave them and keep them away from the true God. As we announce the Gospel, we denounce the idols that lead us to condemnation. Certainly, we cannot impose on others the message of salvation in Jesus Christ. We propose a way of Life that has Jesus as the role model for the ones who choose to live as children of God.

Can we have Isaiah’s attitude of service and obedience? Are we ready to be faithful to God’s call, or do we allow ourselves to be carried away by novelties that ignore the gospel? When questioned by Jesus about their loyalty and faithfulness, Peter answered in the name of the disciples: Where shall we go? Only you have words of eternal life. Indeed, only in Jesus can we find life and salvation.

In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul tells us that he teaches what he was taught. He did not introduce novelties but remained faithful to what he had received, mainly about the resurrection and the eucharist. And he repeats: “... what matters is that I preach what they preach, and this is what you all believed” (1 Co 15:11).

JESUS IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD – Luke 2:22-40

According to the Law of Moses, the first born should be consecrated to God. Mary and Joseph went to Jerusalem for that purpose. In the temple, they presented and consecrated Jesus. He belongs to God, the Father. Thus, it is not surprising that, as a young adult, he remained behind in his Father’s house, where he belonged. However, to take Jesus with them, they had to offer “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” Being the Son of God, he chose to be born under the Law to rescue those who were under the Law. According to the second reading taken from the letter to the Hebrews, Christ shared with all of us the same things that we have, flesh and blood «so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death.» Sharing in everything that we are and have, except sin, «he is able to help those who are being tested», because «he himself was tested by what he suffered».

Taken to the temple to be consecrated, Jesus is recognised by Simeon as the Saviour, a «light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” Before him, everybody will have to make a choice: either they accept or reject him. Nothing will remain hidden and the inner thoughts, feelings and decisions will be brought into the open. In Jesus Christ, we will find salvation or fall by the side. Simeon puts it clearly: «This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed.»

Let us accept Jesus as the light for the paths of our lives and proclaim him as the Saviour of the world.

In this feast of the Presentation of the Lord, we celebrate the day of Consecrated Life. Let us pray for all those who have surrendered their lives to the Lord, that they may remain faithful to the end.

THE WORD OF GOD

 III SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – Nehemiah 8:2-6, 8-10

This Sunday is dedicated to the Word of God. The Word is Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God who became flesh and lived among us. As the word, the Son reveals the Father and leads us to Him. He addresses us, calls us by name, and establishes a loving relationship. God speaks to us. His word is a call, and a challenge. We need an open mind and a listening heart to listen to God’s word. The word of God gives understanding and constitutes a guide to our lives. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

In this Sunday of the Word of God, we are invited to celebrate the Word and become aware of the great importance of the word in our lives and in the life of the Church. For this celebration, we are presented with two texts from the Scriptures: the first reading and the gospel.

In exile, the Jews learnt to live without the Temple as the great sign of God’s presence in the middle of his people. Little by little, the reading of the Scriptures in the community took the place of the sacrifices and the synagogue would replace the Temple. When the exiles returned to their homeland, the importance of the community reading of the Scriptures grew in appreciation. The solemn proclamation of the word came to be accepted as the opportunity for the community to hear God speaking to them.

The first reading presents the great assembly organised by Ezra and Nehemiah for the public and solemn reading of God’s word. The occasion is presented as a big feast in which the hearts of all those present were touched by the commandments of the Lord.

With the passing of time, the synagogues could be found everywhere. They were community houses where people gathered to hear the word and worship the Lord. In Nazareth, as in Capernaum as in many other places, there was a synagogue where a liturgy of the word was celebrated every sabbath. Jesus went there as he used to do and was called upon to read a passage from Isaiah. It was a passage about the Messiah, and Jesus understood it as speaking of him. He is the one anointed with the Spirit to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.

The Scriptures speak of Christ and lead us to Christ. In them, we hear God calling us and revealing God’s loving heart to us.

YOU SHALL BE CALLED “MY DELIGHT”

II DOMINGO DO TEMPO COMUM - John 2:1-11

In the gospel of John, Jesus begins his ministry at the wedding of Cana in Galilee, where he changed water into wine. That was the first great sign Jesus gave, through which he revealed his Messiahship. The wedding was already a sign of God’s covenant and His faithfulness to it. God loves his people with great love, finding his joy in them:

“and as the bridegroom rejoices in his bride,

so will your God rejoice in you.” (Is 62:5).

The wedding of Cana represents the beginning of the new covenant brought about by Jesus. In the episode presented by John, Jesus occupies the central stage. The wedding feast fell short of what was expected on such an occasion The guests felt disappointed, and the groom experienced inadequacy. Indeed, the old covenant, unable to fulfil our deepest desires, did not bring salvation. Mary, Jesus’ mother, represents the poor of Yahweh, who never loses hope in God’s love. She cries out to Jesus, calling his attention to the situation we are in. At Mary’s intervention, Jesus acted promptly, bringing forth the time of salvation.

Whenever we are overburdened by suffering and sorrow, we must look at Mary, and she will call Jesus’ attention to us. Then, he will change the water of our unhappiness into the wine of festivity. Only Jesus can bring consolation and peace.

“No longer are you to be named ‘Forsaken’,

nor your land ‘Abandoned’,

but you shall be called ‘My Delight’

and your land ‘The Wedded’;

for the Lord takes delight in you

and your land will have its wedding.” (Is 62:1-5)

Let us be the delight of the Lord.

 BAPTISED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD - Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

Many people became convinced that John the Baptist was the Messiah, but, being an honest and truthful man, he did not waste time in denying such a claim. Indeed, he never tried to present himself as someone he was not. He was a simple voice in the desert calling people to repentance and conversion. He came to prepare the way of the Lord. Thus, he points out the big difference between him and the Messiah. He was “not fit to undo the strap of his sandals” since the Messiah was much greater than he was. Aware of the Messiah’s greatness, John compares his baptism with the one to be bestowed by the Messiah. John baptises with water, while the Messiah will baptise with the Holy Spirit.

There is a huge difference between John’s baptism and the baptism given to us by Jesus Christ. Those who went to John were baptised by him while confessing their sins. They accepted the call for repentance and showed a willingness to convert. The baptism was a sign of their commitment to walk on the straight path of the Lord. In the baptism given to us by Jesus, we were anointed with the Holy Spirit, who recreates us and makes us children of God. By the Holy Spirit, we are made one with Christ, becoming with him children of God.

In Jesus’ baptism, his sonship was revealed when the voice from heaven proclaimed: “You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you.” Anointed with Spirit, Jesus was ready to be the Servant of the Lord and carry out his mission for the salvation of the world. Jesus came to baptise us with the Holy Spirit so that the Father’s words are pronounced on each one of us: You are my son. We are God’s beloved children, and we may cry out: “Abba! Father!” (Ro 8:15).

In our baptism in the name of Jesus Christ, the water is a symbol and an instrument of the Holy Spirit, who is the one regenerating us. In Him, we are born from above (again), that is, from God.  As John wrote in his gospel: 

“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” (Jn 1:12-13).

As we celebrate the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, let us give thanks for our baptism and renew our commitment to be true followers of Jesus Christ.

ALL NATIONS SHALL FALL PROSTRATE BEFORE YOU

THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD - Matthew 2:1-12

From old times, the solemnity of Epiphany has been considered a great feast, as important as Christmas. The Magi represent the Gentiles who recognise Jesus as the Messiah and Saviour. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul tells us that the plan of salvation (the mystery) “has now been revealed through the Spirit”. Indeed, the “pagans now share the same inheritance, that they are parts of the same body, and that the same promise has been made to them, in Jesus Christ, through the gospel.” (Ep 3:5-6). The promise made to the people of Israel was intended for all nations of the earth. Today, in this great feast, we celebrate God’s merciful love offered to all of us.

Through the story of the Magi who came from the East, Matthew presents the same truth taught by Paul in his letter to the Ephesians. The story of the Magi anticipates what will happen to Jesus when he is rejected and excluded from his people, suffering death on the cross. The early Church will go through the same experience of rejection and exclusion.

The Magi came from the East, the land of the rising sun, following a star that leads to Christ, the true light of the world. Despite the exhaustion of a long journey, they did not give up looking for the Messiah. They were filled with hope, and this hope reassured them in the pursuit of their goal: to find the Saviour that would bring peace to their souls. In their search, they allowed themselves to be guided by the Spirit that led them to Christ. By contrast, Herod, the king of the Jews, filled with jealousy, decided to get rid of the child Jesus. For that purpose, he was joined by the religious leaders of Jerusalem. They live in darkness, with their hearts full of malice. Indeed, “He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.” (Jn 1:11) As a child, with his life in danger, Jesus had to find refuge in Egypt. Later on in life, as an adult, he would be sentenced to death on the cross for a crime that he did not commit. The high priest considered him a false prophet who deserved to die and took him to Pilate, the political authority, with the accusation of high treason. Jesus was rejected by his people and believed by the Gentiles. Walking on Jesus’ steps, the early Church suffered the same fate: rejected by the Jews, it was expelled from the Synagogue. Meanwhile, an increasingly large number of Gentiles entered the community of believers.

Let us join the psalmist in singing:

The kings of Tarshish and the sea coasts

  shall pay him tribute.

The kings of Sheba and Seba

  shall bring him gifts.

Before him all kings shall fall prostrate,

  all nations shall serve him. (Psalm 72)