Who Is Winning?

Third Sunday In Ordinary Time
27 January 2008


First reading Isaiah 8:23 - 9:3
In days past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in days to come he will confer glory on the Way of the Sea on the far side of Jordan, province of the nations.

The people that walked in darkness
has seen a great light;
on those who live in a land of deep shadow
a light has shone.

You have made their gladness greater,
you have made their joy increase;
they rejoice in your presence
as men rejoice at harvest time,
as men are happy when they are dividing the spoils.

Second reading 1 Corinthians 1:10 - 17
I appeal to you, brothers, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, to make up the differences between you, and instead of disagreeing among yourselves, to be united again in your belief and practice. From what Chloe’s people have been telling me, my dear brothers, it is clear that there are serious differences among you. What I mean are all these slogans that you have, like: ‘I am for Paul’, ‘I am for Apollos’, ‘I am for Cephas’, ‘I am for Christ’. Has Christ been parcelled out? Was it Paul that was crucified for you? Were you baptised in the name of Paul? For Christ did not send me to baptise, but to preach the Good News, and not to preach that in the terms of philosophy in which the crucifixion of Christ cannot be expressed.

Gospel Matthew 4:12 - 23
Hearing that John had been arrested, Jesus went back to Galilee, and leaving Nazareth he went and settled in Capernaum, a lakeside town on the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali. In this way the prophecy of Isaiah was to be fulfilled:

‘Land of Zebulun! Land of Naphtali!
Way of the sea on the far side of Jordan,
Galilee of the nations!
The people that lived in darkness has seen a great light;
on those who dwell in the land and shadow of death
a light has dawned.’

From that moment Jesus began his preaching with the message, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand’.

As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee he saw two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew; they were making a cast in the lake with their net, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fishers of men’. And they left their nets at once and followed him. Going on from there he saw another pair of brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John; they were in their boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. At once, leaving the boat and their father, they followed him.

He went round the whole of Galilee teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness among the people.


Reflection
By Anabelle Payod-Balla

I always ask this question to my kids every time they do something wrong or when they fight with each other. I would ask them if it is the Bad or the Good Angel that is winning and if they keep track of the score. The goal is ensure the Good Angel wins so they can free themselves from the influence of the Bad Angel and be lovable in God’s eyes.

This Sunday’s Gospel is telling us that the Lord is our light and our salvation. He is asking us to do away with divisions, to be united and to change our ways for the kingdom of heaven is near. He is calling us come out from darkness and live in His Light.

To live in the Light of the Lord means we should do away with anything that could lead us astray. To make that decision is to always chose and do what is right. We have the Holy Spirit to run to anytime we need guidance on what is right. Also, Jesus’ teachings are full of tips and step by step guide on how to live in the Light. All we need to do is to read, understand, and follow them. His life is full of good examples, making it is easy for us to follow His lead.

The question is, are we following His lead? Are we under the influence of Jesus or of the devil. Who's side are we cheering on to win? Let’s ensure Jesus and His Good Angels win all the time so that in the end we will achieve the most precious price of all which is the eternal life in heaven. It is always a sure win when we are on Jesus’ side, I am sure of it!

Father, thank you so much for giving us Jesus, the true Light of the world. Please allow us to always seek Your side and walk in Jesus’ light. Please give us the wisdom to always know what is right and the courage to fight for it. Amen.

Who is winning in your scoreboard?