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 3^RD SUNDAY, YEAR A: REFLECTION BY FR. JULIAN EKEH

THEME: THE MESSAGE OF CHRIST: CHANGE YOUR WAYS

(Matthew 4:12-23)

It is the third Sunday of the ordinary time in the Church's liturgical calendar. This Sunday is dedicated to the appreciation of the word of God. Today's message highlights the transforming power of the word. The word is not just verbalization but vitalization. Let us hear Jesus the Word and live according to His ways.

 

THE NEED FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE MESSAGE

The Gospel began by telling us where the word took John the Baptist. John the Baptist was arrested. He was the agent of the Word. He carried the message of Christ, He prepared people for Christ, the word that would become flesh through his spoken word and preaching. He feared no one, He preached by the authority of He that is to come. The climax of it all was the message delivered to Herod, a message inviting him to retrace his steps. For this, He was thrown into prison. Why do we hate the truth so much? Why do we hate living under the light of divine truth? Why do we hate those who tell us the truth? Why do we try to hold the truth down?

The word cannot be imprisoned. Jesus came and continued with the same message John preached in a higher level. The word will not rest until evil in the world is arrested. But unfortunately, we allow evil to arrest the word. We follow the world and keep the Word in chains. No matter what happens, the word must be heard. Little wonder John called himself the voice. Can the voice be held bound? When the Baptist was in the prison, the voice of his message continued to ring even louder and more still through the word himself, whom he voiced. You can cut the head, but you can't cut the Good News. May we heed the word of God and work on ourselves instead of working against it and its agents.

 

THE NEED FOR CHANGE

Some translations used repent, while others used change. The question is, what really needs to be changed in us? Our ways. These are the ways that are contrary to the ways of God. These are the things we have created ourselves to be. These are the images we derived outside the image of our creator. These are the instructions we got from the enemy of our salvation. Jesus must have seen the need for this change and wants us to see the need for change in our lives. The word should motivate us to do good. It should discomfort us when we are not getting it right. It is meant to bring us back to our senses. Let's be touched by the word of Christ Himself as Christians that we are and be changed for good.

Let us listen to those called to spread the word. Let us be preachers in word and deed. Let us be healed and heal our world of all her infirmities by the power of the word of God. Let Christians who are privileged to hear this word endeavour to change the world whenever and wherever they are offered the opportunity. May the message of Christ in all its richness find a place in us and transform us, transform our leaders, transform our land, transform our system and transform the entire world order. May God bless His word in our hearts.

 

LET US PRAY

Oh Lord our God, we call upon You to cast the light of Your word in our world. May we see light in the light of Your word. Deliver us from the prison of not speaking the truth of Your word and from the misfortune of not following the dictates and ways of Your Son Our Lord Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

Happy Sunday to you (3rd Sunday, Ordinary Time, Yr. A)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh