Gospel Reflection - 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

On September 30, 2019, Pope Francis designated the 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time as “Sunday of the Word of God”. We are encouraged to use this day for celebrating, studying, and sharing the Word of God. The Bible is for all of us, not just a select few. God, the author of Sacred Scripture, inspired His team of human authors to write the books of the Bible.

In today’s Gospel, we see Jesus beginning His ministry and the call of His first disciples. These were just ordinary men, working their ordinary fishing jobs. They knew of the Old Testament readings and prophecies of the Savior to come. They’d also heard of Jesus. Believing Him to be the long-awaited Messiah, they left their fisherman jobs to become “fishers of men”. Soon, Jesus would have His full team of disciples to follow Him, help spread the Good News, and carry on His works after He was gone. Two of those disciples (Matthew and John) even went on to become inspired authors of Gospels.

In leaving everything behind, the disciples would fully immerse themselves in following Jesus, the living Word! We can continue the mission of Jesus and His ministry. Through prayer and reading of Scripture, especially the Gospels, we can get to know Jesus on a more personal level and learn of our call to be His disciples.  As St. Jerome, whose feast day was Sept. 30, once said, “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” If you’re not in the habit of regular Scripture reading, why not start today, Sunday of the Word of God. Take this day to begin or deepen your relationship with Christ!

How do you think the disciples felt about the interruption to their daily life to follow Jesus? 

What sacrifices do you feel called to make so that you can follow Jesus?   Are they easy or difficult?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Gospel Reflection - 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Image
Genesis 2:18-24 & Mark 10:2-16 Both the first reading and the Gospel speak to the sanctity of the bonds of marriage and family.  In the first reading, we hear about God creating Eve to be a suitable partner for Adam.  The two become one flesh, man and woman joined together to not only keep one another company, but to procreate and tend to the land.  In the Gospel, once again those Pharisees are trying to trip up Jesus.  His reply is an admonishment to their hardened hearts, reaffirming that marriage is for one man and one woman and that no human can separate what God has joined.   Unfortunately, we have become a throwaway society.  We overbuy food that ends up spoiled and tossed.  Clothing and furniture tears or breaks and rather than repairing them, we throw them out.  We get rid of things in good condition when the newest model is released (game systems, cell phone).  The same applies even to marriages and friendships.  I have...
Read more

10th National Eucharistic Congress Highlights

Image
On May 17, 2024, four pilgrimage routes began in Mississippi, Connecticut, Wisconsin, & California. The purpose was to cross our nation, presenting Jesus to the people of America, & meeting in Indianapolis for the 10th National Eucharistic Congress July 17. Along the way, with Jesus present in the monstrance, the perpetual pilgrims made stops at parishes, schools, & prisons. You can read more about the pilgrimage HERE . About 60,000 people gathered at The National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, July 17-21, to adore our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament, attend Mass daily, pray together, & listen to great speakers.  Fr. Mike Schmitz, Monsignor James Shea, Bishop Robert Barron, Jonathan Roumie, Sr. Bethany Madonna, Chris Stefanik, & more shared their great love of our Lord & how much of an impact the Eucharist has had in their lives.  Unfortunately , I couldn't make it to Indiana, but I was able to watch many of the speakers live & on YouTube....
Read more

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Image
Well, here we are already...the 4th Sunday of Advent has arrived!  Have you finished your Christmas shopping & wrapped all the presents, baked your holiday delectables, mailed your Christmas greeting cards, decorated your home to rival any display of Martha Stewart's? If you're like most people, you probably answered that you're nowhere near being finished. But you know what? That's perfectly fine because none of those items are important in the grand scheme of things.  The bigger & most important question to be answered is, "Have you prepared your heart to receive Jesus on Christmas Day?" After all, without Jesus' humble birth in a stable over 2000 years ago, none of the other things above would have any significant meaning! Today's Gospel tells us that Mary, upon being told that she would bring our Savior into the world, set off in haste to her cousin, Elizabeth. Advanced in age, Elizabeth was experiencing a miraculous pregnancy, foretold by...
Read more