THIRD SUNDAY OF YEAR "A"

THIRD SUNDAY OF THE YEAR "A"

 

Introduction:   Repentance is necessary if we decisively choose to leave the old terrain of sin and darkness and enter into the new kingdom of God’s Son, the kingdom of truth and light and holiness. We must reject sin’s allurements and seductions. “Repent,” says Jesus, “for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mt 4, 17). In order to fill us with gladness, the joy of his presence and freedom from the oppression of sin and death, Jesus further commands us, “Follow me” (vs. 14). Then, as we follow him, he will confer glory upon us.  

Cycle “A”: Mathew 4, 12 – 23.

Homily:Jesus must have developed an early warning system. Word reached him that John the Baptist had been picked up and slammed into prison. Instinctively, Jesus knew that if he didn’t want trouble, not so soon, he must quit southern Palestine. He hurried up to the safety of the northern hill country of Galilee. Jesus’ Galilean ministry was in accord with the prophecy of Isaiah. He knew the area like the back of his hand, and the time had come to begin his preaching and healing. Presumably he checked in with his mother and had some home cooked meals. After his 40 days’ fast his mother Mary must have been horrified at the looks of him. Presumably also he sold the tools he’d used as an artisan and carpenter and left the money with his mother.

Jesus was about to begin his career. The world still reels from that decision. He set up base camp not in Nazareth but in Capharnaum. Like many seaports Capharnaum was the pits, a hellhole. Its citizens were among the least attractive in Galilee, and the most crooked. They could steal the eyes out of your head and then tell you that you were born blind ! Yet it had one big plus. The town sat on a heavily travelled road. Merchants from Syria and Phoenicia in the north would overnight in the town as they headed south. Likewise those coming out of Egypt and the south would be heading for the north country. So Jesus would never want for a ready audience. These people would listen to fresh ideas. And, more importantly, they would carry them wherever their business took them. Also from Capharnaum Jesus could move out into all of the provinces of Galilee, an area of more than 1,000 square kilometres. Jesus was no stranger to walking. He was in sound physical condition (and could take on any Roman officer in a wrestling match).

But first he had to pick up a team before beginning any serious work.  After some preliminary preaching, he needed staff; business was expanding. And so his famous invitation to the brothers, Simon and Andrew, and the brothers James and John. These hardy levelheaded fishermen were no spiritual slouches. Jesus had first met them down in John Baptist country. Like him, they had checked out the Baptist and liked what they heard. Nor was Jesus unknown to them. They must have heard him preach; they may even have witnessed some miracles, and were enchanted by him, as you and I would be. Their personal merits did not matter for Jesus, and though unlearned in certain respects, they were good, down-to-earth and ready. And when they accepted to sign on the dotted line, they were being bold, indeed. They were leaving a good living for a very precarious one. They were, after all, commercial fishermen, who owned their own boats.

But their spontaneous response to Jesus made all the difference. Jesus was offering them not peace but the sword, which was exactly how the story turned out. Be it noted, however, that Jesus equipped them with the Holy Spirit, the power to heal illnesses, and freedom from care. They could sit lightly to their possessions, like their penniless employer; not take themselves too seriously, and be lightsome as angels. What an example for us who are tense and worried.

Jesus’ invitation was addressed not to their heads but their hearts. Had it been the other way round, they might not have enlisted as members of a new and risky enterprise. It’s the same with us in our personal relationship with Jesus. It is not his clever words that move us. It is his very person. He was and remains a complete original. One deep breath inwards and you become addicted for life and, hopefully, for all eternity ! Coming to know Jesus entails coming to know ourselves and wanting to do something about our lives, reforming ourselves and wanting to make other people’s lives humane and healthy. Once Jesus had his core team he began his work in earnest. Do check out those words in today’s Gospel:  “And he cured the people of every disease and illness.” He was concerned not only getting these people to heaven, but also helping them in the here and now. As it was with him, so must it be with you and me.  

Here is a beautiful PRAYER of Mother Janet Stuart that we can make our own:

Lord, I know that I am not at my best

when I am most exuberant and most impetuous,

but when I am trying to pull steadily and bravely as I can

in the direction you have set me.

Stay with me when I am swamped by weariness and seeming impossibilities.

Turn my face gently towards you,

keep my heart loving

and my will determined to fight on to the end.

Amen.