“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”
Daily Reflections
Sunday, 22nd January 2017.
Third Week in the Ordinary Time
Is 8:23 – 9:3;
Ps 27: 1, 4, 13-14;
1Cor 1: 10-13, 17;
Mt 4: 12-23.
A LIGHT TO THOSE IN DARKNESS
The strongest people are not those who show off their physical strength, rather those who win battles we know nothing about. Today we reflect on our call to follow Christ.
In the first reading Isaiah assures the people of Israel that eventually everything would be well. He brings hope into their lives that those walked in darkness will see a great light and those living in gloom will have a great rejoicing. This prophecy from Isaiah is clearly fulfilled in Jesus’ coming. Jesus is the “great light” of which Isaiah speaks. Therefore, Isaiah is prophesying this particular historical moment when Jesus appears in our world preaching His divine Word. But Isaiah’s words should not only speak to us about this one-time historical event of the coming of Christ and His public ministry, it should also reveal to us the fact that Jesus is the “great light” who continues to shine in whatever darkness we encounter.
The Gospel reading today tells us that it is Jesus who is a great light that shines, that dispels darkness and brings joy, thus liberating gloomy lives. Imagine complete darkness covering the entire land. Imagine being out in the wilderness on a very cloudy night with the stars and moon completely covered. Imagine then, the clouds parting as the Sun immediately begins to rise. Slowly the darkness is cast aside as the rising sun sheds light across the entire land. This is not only an image of what happened long ago when Jesus came and began His ministry, it also happens every time we sincerely listen to the Word of God and allow His Word to penetrate our minds and hearts. Jesus’ words must fill us with Himself for He is the Great Light of Truth.
Jesus was a man on a mission, a mission to proclaim the kingdom of God and to save the lost and the least, whom the society rejected. His public ministry is a sign pointing to the start of his mission to save the lost and least and bring light and joy into their lives. He needs people to collaborate with him and to take part in his mission. He chooses his first disciples, calls them when they are busy about their business, and they immediately followed him sometimes even without any second thought. His first disciples were simple ordinary fishermen, mending and preparing their nets to fishing. They were not of great learning nor of noble descent. They seem not useful for Jesus’ mission, but surprisingly God’s unconditional love transforms them. Their lives are qualified and extraordinary success is achieved and upon them the Church was founded.
Jesus enlightened their minds and makes them to carry the light that is He himself and dispels all darkness and brings joy in the world with message of God’s love. Jesus still is in need of disciples in our times of turmoil, where everyone is pulled in different directions. God uses the unlikeliest people. He empowers us with his glory. So let us respond and be committed as the disciples responded and committed themselves to God.
Prayer: Lord, come to me and enter the darkness of my mind and heart. Come and cast aside the sorrow and pain that I feel this day. Bring clarity to my confusion and replace it with the bright knowledge of Your loving presence. Lord, make us willing to follow your calling for me. In my life vocation as a priest, religious, lay person; May I answer your call and bring your light to all in darkness. Jesus, I trust in You.. Amen
