_(Sunday 26th January 2020. Isaiah 8:23-9:3, Psalm 27, 1st Corinthians 1:10-17 & Matthew 4:12-23)_
_“The
people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a
land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.” *(Isaiah 9:2)*_
Last
Sunday, the topic of our reflection was “Be a Light; Point others to Jesus.” John
the Baptist was a light to the nation of Israel by preparing their hearts for
Jesus. In today’s first reading, Isaiah prophesied of a great light coming upon
the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali. This prophecy is fulfilled in our Gospel
passage with Jesus bringing light upon the them by teaching in their synagogues,
preaching the Gospel of God’s kingdom and healing every disease and every
infirmity among the people.
As we
celebrate today the Sunday of the Word of God, we shall be examining the
centrality and power of the Word of God in our lives as Christians. Why is God’s
word important? Must I read the Bible? Is the Bible still relevant in today? How
can I use the Bible to solve my immediate challenges? These are some of the
questions we shall try to answer as we examine the lessons contained in today’s
readings.
*1.
Ignorance of God’s Word is Darkness.*
According
to St. Ignatius: “Ignorance of Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.” When the
Prophet Isaiah spoke of Zebulun and Naphtali being in great darkness, he meant
they were yet to encounter Jesus, the Word that was with God in the beginning.
(Cf. John 1:1). No doubt, the word of God brings light into any form of
darkness that we may be encountering in life. Are you confused about a certain
decision to take? Read God’s word. Are you troubled about life’s predicaments?
Read God’s word. Do you wish to know what would happen in the future? Just read
the word of God. Indeed, an encounter with the God’s word is an encounter with Jesus
our light. No wonder today’s responsorial psalm sings: “The Lord is my light
and my salvation.”
*2. God’s
Word is More Important than the Preacher.*
In today’s
second reading, St. Paul is obviously disappointed with the Christians in Corinth
because of divisions, dissensions and quarrelling among them. While some were
claiming to be followers of Paul, others were taking sides with Cephas (Peter)
and some others, Apollos. This quarrelling among the believers was a sign of a
great failure on their part to make God’s word a priority in their lives.
Many Christians
today do not take their time to read the Bible for themselves, they only hear
God’s word from the lips of preachers. As a result, they are more loyal to
preachers than to God. Do not forget that satan quoted from the Bible while
trying to tempt Jesus. Find out what is in the Bible yourself lest you become a
victim. Be loyal to God’s word; not to any preacher.
*3. God’s
Word Demands Immediate Response.*
It is
never enough that we read the Bible, we must also act on it. Failure to do what
the word of God demands puts us in a far worse condition than those who never
had the privilege of hearing the word. Hence, Jesus would say: “Everyone then
who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built
his house upon the rock…(but)… everyone who hears these words of mine and does
not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand; and
the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that
house, and it fell; and great was the fall of it.” (Matthew 7:24-27).
In our Gospel
passage, we see how Peter and Andrew as well as the sons of Zebedee, James and
John immediately left their nets and everything they were doing upon hearing
the words: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Every time we
encounter God’s word, we cannot afford to remain where we are; something must change
in us, there must be a movement from our former ways to a new life; movement
from the darkness of sin to walking as children of light.
The
disciples followed Jesus leaving behind their means of livelihood, they trusted
in Divine Providence. At times, God’s word makes great demands on us. It seems
like God is asking the impossible from us. We must learn from these disciples
to just trust God and obey. The Psalmist sings: “Thy word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105). Imagine what your life would be if God’s
word is a lamp for your feet; imagine consulting God’s word before any decision
you take in life.
*4. God’s
Word Brings Us Healing; Spiritually and Physically.*
What
happens when we create time for God’s words, when we listen attentively and
make bold steps to apply God’s words in our lives? Miracles follow. All through
the Gospels, we notice this pattern: when a crowd gathers around Jesus, He begins
with preaching and after he had spent a great deal of time preaching to them, He
begins to work miracles, healing them of their sicknesses, freeing them from
their burdens and casting out demons from those oppressed by the devil.
Whatever
we seek from God will come to us so long as we make His Word a priority in our
lives. The secret to your healing, your deliverance, your breakthrough in life
is to allow God’s word into your heart daily. Read God’s word, use the word of
God to pray. Speak God’s words over any situation you may be facing in life and
watch how great things would begin to happen.
*Conclusion*
Do you
have a Bible? Do you really know how powerful it is? When last did you devote some
hours of your day to reading and meditating on God’s word? Could it be that you
really do not have the time for God’s word? The truth is that you always have
time for anything you consider to be important to you. The word of God is more
important than riches, fame, comfort, or anything you can think of. The word of
God is life. Last Sunday, we noted that if you ever try to preach to someone only
to discover you are lost for words, it means your heart is full of too much
junk or you do not even know Jesus. The secret to overcoming this predicament
is simple: *Read God’s Word Every day.*
Let us
Pray: Lord Jesus, increase my love and appreciation for your word. Let no day
pass without me spending time in prayerful reading of your word. Amen.
Happy
Sunday. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless
you. (Third Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A. Bible Study: Isaiah 8:23-9:3,
Psalm 27, 1st Corinthians 1:10-17 & Matthew 4:12-23.).
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