THE THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
GOSPEL: MATTHEW 4:12-23
Dear friends,
As Jesus began his public ministry his first act was to gather some disciples who would share his work and his mission. They are not the Pharisees or Scribes, not scholars or influential members of the community, but fishermen who may have been quite illiterate. It is significant that the call takes place right in their working place and the initiative for the call comes from Jesus. Jesus had obviously been watching them at work. Jesus begins by calling the two set of fishermen brothers — Simon (later renamed Peter) & Andrew and James & James. Jesus tells them they will be fishers of men. Their ordinary work, drawing sustenance from the darkness of the sea, becomes a sign of a deeper reality, drawing men and women from the darkness of sin and death.
These chosen people now share the ministry in which Jesus was engaged and is summarized as teaching, preaching and healing. 'Jesus is the Light' which the people in darkness are rejoicing to see. The people of Galilee and beyond, would no longer walk in darkness. Today many people still walk in darkness. There are many children who still live in the darkness of ignorance, neglect, abandonment, poverty hatred and despair. Those who have been called by Christ to be his disciples, all of us, have to have the courage to bring the light of His Truth to those who are in darkness.
We too, are called to follow Jesus. No matter what our circumstances, or what we do for a living, we must do our part in bringing the Good News to those we live with, work with, and meet each day. We need to let them know that He is calling them to come into His Light. There is something we can do. We can love them. We can help wherever possible. We can let them know that they are not alone in the world. We can support them. We can pray for them. The world is beautiful for those who are in the light. The world is horrible for those who are in darkness. We are in the light. We need to bring this light to others by loving one another (Caritas). Like Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John, we need to be fishers of men. We must bring light to those in darkness. We must become fishers of men, women, children, and teens.
By Fr. Kyazze Frank Lwanga