3rd Sunday - A (January 26, 2020)

To Me, Here, and Now

Matthew 4: 12-23

Pope Francis, reflecting on this Gospel passage, pointed out that Jesus calls Peter, Andrew, James and Joh while they are “in the middle of their daily activity.”  Likewise, “the Lord reveals himself to us in everyday circumstances of our life.” [1]

St. Matthew also points out that Jesus began his ministry in Galilee, not Jerusalem, the religious center of Judaism.  The population of Galilee included the gentiles.  On these people, where they were, the light of God shone.    

Today, Jesus continues to be the light for us as who we are and where we are.

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[1]  Pope Francis, Reflection during the Angelus, January 22, 2017.  Quoted in Give Us This Day, January 2020 issue, p. 271.

 Image source: Pietro da Cortona, Calling of St. Peter and St. Andrew. 

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2nd Sunday - A (January 19, 2020)

The Lamb of God Who Takes away the Sins of the World

John 1: 29-34

Instead of some reflections on this Sunday’s readings, I’d rather put together a summary that I found run through these readings.

I’ve been reflecting on this summary, and I’d like to invite you to do the same.

The Lamb of God takes away the sins of the world (Gospel).  He thus “sanctifies us” and makes us “holy” (2^nd Reading).  Consequently, what is true about Jesus Christ is now true for us:  Each one of us is now “a light to the nations, that [God’s] salvation may reach to the ends of the earth” (1^st Reading).

 Image source:  Diego Velázquez, Christ Crucified, Museo del Prado, Madrid 

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Baptism of the Lord (January 12, 2020)

The Mission of the Son of God, Our Mission

Readings

Jesus came to be baptized by John, even know he had no need for it.  It was for us that the “beloved Son” of God came to be with us, so that we, sinners, might become children of God. 

By now, most of the Christmas lights and decorations have been taken down, Nativity scenes put back in storage.  How do we know that the Savior who came to us sinners remains with us?  And what do we do to help people who do not know Jesus to experience his presence?

Jesus empowers us to continue his mission, the mission announced by Isaiah (First Reading):  “I have grasped you by the hand; I formed you, and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.”  

Image source: www.agnusday.org

Epiphany of the Lord (January 5, 2020)

Our Guiding Star

Matthew 2: 1-12

The miraculous star and various people assisted the magi in their search for the newborn King.  God works through people, things, and events to guide us on our journey to Him. 

In this new year, let’s pray that we may be more receptive to God’s manifold guidance as God continues to draw us to God.

In particular, God gives us a kind of GPS in the Gospels, Prayer, and the Sacraments, which we celebrate and receive in the community of the Church.  May this GPS be the star to guide us to the King of all nations.

Image source:  www.agnusday.org