Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Also Read: Mass Readings for 22 January 2023 Homily for 22 January 2023 – Sunday
First Reading: Isaiah 8: 23 – 9: 3
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined. (9:2)
Here, Isaiah prophecies about Christ. We have celebrated His birth and know He is in our midst! We have seen the light of Christ. May we walk in His light and not grow cold!
Amen!
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 27: 1, 4, 13-14
One thing I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple. (4)
Amen!
Second Reading: First Corinthians 1: 10-13, 17
Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. (10)
St. Paul appeals to us today, that we remain in unity! How easy or challenging do we find this call? Is there unity in our homes? Is there unity in the family? Is there unity in the society? Indeed, we alone cannot work toward harmony, there has to be reciprocation. But it is the Lord who can work this out through the Holy Spirit.
Amen!
Gospel: Matthew 4: 12-23
Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali. (12-13)
Why did the Lord of Lords, withdraw? – For His time had not yet come. He blessed Capernaum with his presence there but fulfilled the Prophet Isaiah’s prophecy too! He chose to live among us, as the humblest and weakest of all. But He taught us by His life. He taught us obedience and dependence on His Father. I believe His actions taught powerful lessons! May we learn at the foot of the Cross.
Amen!
