First Reading. Is. 8: 23b - 9:3.
Prophet Isaiah recalls the earlier times and speaks of the future. This is the messianic time when everything will be settled and a new era will dawn. At that time there will be rejoicing and joy
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Second Reading. 1 Cor. 1: 10-13, 17.
St. Paul appeals to the Corinthians to live as brothers instead of quarrelling among themselves. He, advices them to stand for the glory of the Cross and not to have divisions among them in following one or the other Apostle.
Gospel. Mt. 4: 12-23.
After John is arrested Jesus goes about preaching the good News. He too preaches a message of repentance; He continues preaching and then chooses a few Apostles from among the disciples. Thereafter He continues the mission of teaching, preaching and healing.
Reflection.
Today’s readings stress the importance and the urgency of the message of God. This message enkindles the people who live in fear and who are suffering. It’s hope for the hopeless. God’s message unites people and motivates them to work for the greater glory of God and for salvation. Therefore Jesus chooses the Apostles to preach His message even after He has ascended into heaven. If there be anything which would give us hope, peace and harmony. It is the teaching of the Lord. This is quite evident in the day’s readings.
In the first reading the prophet speaks to a people who were living in a hopeless situation. He not only promises them freedom but even eternal salvation which will be brought by the messiah. Therefore there is a messianic promise in the first reading and it is about the Messiah who will bring salvation to all. Then there will be worship of the one God everywhere. Therefore it enlivens hope among the Israelites and also those who were outside.
In the second reading St. Paul addresses the Corinthian community through a letter and its purpose is to bring about peace. As followers of different Apostles; they were quarreling among themselves. Therefore St. Paul had to write to them, advise them not to quarrel among themselves just because they were followers of different Apostles.He wanted them to unite among themselves and bear witness to Christ as followers of the Apostles. He openly bears witness to the fact that he did not come to baptize but to preach the Gospel. Here he wanted his followers to allow the power of the Cross to be highlighted instead of high lightening one’s own power of wisdom. It was quite clear when he said, “Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the Gospel; and not with eloquent wisdom, lest the Cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” This time the message is for peace and unity in order to bring about Christ to the world.
In the Gospel as soon as John was arrested Jesus withdrew to Galilee and begins his mission by preaching a message of repentance in order to bring about peace with God by way of salvation. He chooses a group of Apostles in order to do his work and may be to continue his work even after Him. He went about teaching, preaching and healing. This was in order to prepare the people for His great salvific mission. Therefore let us adhere to the teaching and the message of God so that we will have true hope and there will be peace and harmony; the blessings that are much needed today for us, our country and the world.
Aid Story.
There was a famous Chinese statesman by the name of Li Hung Chang. Not a Christian himself, he once engaged in conversation with Colonel Dyer, a Scottish engineer and a firm believer. “Men ought to admire success, “remarked the statesman. “I cannot understand why men like some of you Europeans should actually worship Jesus Christ. Why that man’s life was a failure and he was actually crucified at the end of it. Crucifixion is a very cruel, painful and a degrading punishment. How can you all such a man as that your leader, you model?” “Well your Excellency.” Answered the colonel, “I don’t know what you call failure. When a man’s words and the story of his life have influenced many of the best and noblest and wisest men for nearly two thousand years, I don’t call that failure.” Above all you seem not to know the rest of his story. I think it is my duty to proclaim it to you.”
Aid Story 2.
A man and his family went to church and when they came out the father was complaining that the service was too long, the preacher was no good, and the singing hopeless. Finally the little son said. “Daddy, I thought it was pretty cheap for three of us for a Dollar.”
Marian year. If you wish to convert anyone to the fullness of our Lord and of His Mystical Body, then teach him the Rosary. One of two things will happen. Either he will stop saying the Rosary or he will get the gift of Faith.
(Most Reverend Fulton J. Sheen)
Fr. Ciswan De Croos.
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