Reflection for Sunday January 26, Third Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 4:12-23

Gospel: Matthew 4:12-23

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: 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. From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him. He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people.

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Reflection:

Do you allow Jesus to be the guiding light of your life?

After the arrest of John his followers were in the dark as to who would lead them. Until they heard about Jesus so they went to Jesus and they followed Him hence Jesus became their new leader. John’s followers who were without a leader suddenly had seen a great light in Jesus.

The prophet Isaiah in the first reading prophesied this when he said:  The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone (Isaiah 9:1).

While walking in the sea of Galilee Jesus called the first four apostles namely: Peter, Andrew, James and John. They were all fishermen. What made them respond to the call of Jesus to follow Him? It was the call of Jesus and it was also the light that they saw in Jesus.

Were Peter, Andrew, James and John living in darkness before Jesus called them? Yes in a way, they were in darkness because they were living their lives without the presence of Jesus. They only saw light when Jesus called them.     

There will be moments of darkness in our lives too! Regardless whoever we are, no one is exempt from this darkness moments. We may be rich, we may be poor and we may be educated or not educated. Nonetheless, we would still be passing thru this darkness moments.

In the middle of this darkness moments there’s always Jesus who’s always ready to step into our lives to call us and to give us His light. The light that He gives will give us hope, will give us motivation to move forward and will give us strength to mend the shattered pieces of our lives. – Marino J. Dasmarinas