January 26, 2020

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - Fr. Leo

As the days get longer this time of year, it is fitting we ponder the great image of “the light,” in our scriptures today.  From the prophet Isaiah we hear these words:

“The people who walked in darkness

have seen a great light;

upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom

a light has shone.”

Freed from captivity, God’s people exalt in their deliverance, and the plenty, God has bestowed on them.  Matthew’s gospel quotes these same words this way:

“Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,

the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan,

Galilee of the Gentiles,

the people who sit in darkness

have seen a great light,

on those dwelling in a land

overshadowed by death

light has arisen.

We are the people who sat in darkness, and

upon us a great light shines in Jesus Christ.  He illuminates our way with the light of his gospel, and the gift of his grace. 

Called to live in the light, we strive to make Christ’s life our own.  Through our living the gospel, Christ lives more and more in us, and His ways become our own.  Gradually this happens for us when we genuinely seek God.  Just as the days get longer bit by bit, so we grow in holiness as we enter ever deeper into Christ through his light-the gospel. 

Let us pray for the desire and the grace to live fully in God, that his light may illuminate all     aspects of our lives, and transform us into light for others.