The Word Alive

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

24 January 2021 

 

First Reading:  JON 3:1-5, 10

Responsorial Psalm:  PS 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9

Second Reading:  1 COR 7:29-31

Gospel:  MK 1:14-20

 

Reflection

By: Pietro S Albano

When Deacon Martyn Swaby (our parish deacon) was ordained, the bishop placed the Book of Gospels in Martyn’s hands and said “Receive the Gospel of Christ whose herald you have become. Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach.” Regardless of our vocation, we too are called to become heralds of the Gospel. In our participation in the liturgy or in our own private prayer, we read or listen to God’s Word. And because it is God’s Word and no one else’s, we believe in it, we put our trust in it. Like any gift, God’s Word must be shared. We must teach it to those around us. It could be our family, colleagues, clients, or even strangers. Sharing the Word would be useless if we do not live it. Living it requires humility and openness like what Simon, Andrew, James, and John had shown when Jesus called them to follow Him to become fishers of people. Witnessing to it requires that zeal in one’s heart like the hearts of those two disciples who initially failed to recognise Jesus as they travelled to Emmaus. As we celebrate Sunday of the Word of God, let us ask for the grace to become God’s Living Word to win more souls for Christ.

• ·         What is the role of God’s Word in your life?
• · Have you considered becoming a permanent deacon, lector/commentator, catechist, or a God-speak writer in our web? Why or why not?
• ·    The Sunday of the Word of God is celebrated near the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (18^th -25^th January) and Holocaust Memorial Day (27^th January). How can the Word of God be an instrument of unity among peoples, Christians and non-Christians alike?

 

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word today. Open our minds to understand the Scriptures. Open our hearts to welcome its message of unity. Amen.