Sunday, 26th January – 3rd Sunday of the year

Reflection: Matthew 4:12-23

ARE YOU READY?

“Look, I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my call and open the door, I will come in to you and have supper with you, and you with me” (Revelation 3:20). Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw Peter and his brother Andrew who were fishermen and called them to follow him, at once they left all and followed him. Also, James and John, Son of Zebedee, left their Father and their boats and followed him at once. These disciples did not know what lies ahead, yet, they left all and followed him.

Dear Friends, today Christ is calling you to follow him; to be his disciple. Can you hear the call and are you ready for this? The call to follow him is a call to bear witness to Christ. This demands self-mortification and total submission from you. Self-mortification in terms of the comfort and pleasure we have to let go, the way of life and friends we have to leave, the insults we have to bear and the enemies we have to love and forgive. All these constitute the daily cross we have to bear to be a disciple of Christ (Luke 14:26-27). Christ is calling you today to serve him in the Church, in the community, and in the world at large. Can you hear Him and are you ready?

Remember, when God sends you on an errand, He pays the bill. So, do not worry about what lies ahead if you respond to the call. God will take care of that, for He cares for us. All you need to do is to make yourself available and say, “HERE AM I LORD, I HAVE COME TO DO YOUR WILL”.

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for my being, give me the grace to hear and to respond to your call all my life. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 348 – “Teacher, what . . . must I do to have eternal life?” (Mt 19:16)

Jesus says, “If you would enter life, keep the commandments” (Mt 19:17). Then he adds, “and come, follow me” (Mt 19:21).

Christianity is more than a correct life and keeping the commandments. Being a Christian is a living relationship to Jesus. A Christian unites himself deeply and personally with the Lord and with him sets out on the way that leads to true life.

HIDE A TREASURE: “My son, if you have decided to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for trials. Keep your hearts upright and remain resolute; do not be upset in the time of adversity.” Sirach 2:1-2 GNB

Readings for today: Isaiah 8:23- 9:3, 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17; Matthew 4:12-23