Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted on by Cassie

Jesus returns from the desert to proclaim the central message of His ministry: “The Kingdom of God is at hand!”

For centuries the Jewish people waited for a great king, The Messiah.  He would lead their nation to a glory surpassing the days of Solomon.  The words of the prophets would be fulfilled; a new age of justice and peace would unfold.  All this would happen when the Messiah came.

Jesus proclaims that someday is now.  The promises have been fulfilled;  the reign of God is beginning now.  “Repent,” He says, “and believe the good news.”

Jesus not only proclaims the good news, He is the good news.  Wherever He appears, evil and death flee like shadows before light.  People are overwhelmed by His power and authority; a tremendous excitement sweeps the countryside as crowds come to follow Him.

Amid all this excitement, Mark tells us about the call of his first disciples.  Mark places this event even before the first miracle.  It is a hint of a theme that will dominate his gospel:  the kingdom of God is not just miracles and wonders, but a call to abandon all else for the sake of Jesus Christ.  That is truly what it means to “Repent, and believe the good news.”

As Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James and John, He offered them the opportunity to be part of this Kingdom of God.  He called them to offer their lives for the work of bringing God’s plan for the world to completion.  Their response was immediate, selfless and total.

We have also been called by Jesus to follow Him.  We are called to make a decision, to accept His invitation to leave behind our old lives, to be taught by Jesus, and to participate in bringing God’s reign to fulfillment. How blessed we are to be called by Jesus.

God Bless

Msgr. Powell

 

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted on by Cassie

A change in name occurs sometimes in Scripture and today’s gospel gives us a classic example.  After Andrew gets acquainted with Jesus, he brings his brother, Simon to the Lord.  Jesus looks at Simon and says: “You are Simon, son of John.  Your name shall be Cephas (which means Peter).”

Later we learn that Peter means rock, and that it is upon this rock that Jesus will build His Church.  Thus Simon is given the new name Peter to signify his role as the rock of Christ’s foundation of the Church.

To the ancient mind, one’s name was synonymous with one’s character and personality.  Names were carefully chosen because they signified the ideals a person was to live by and the destiny he or she was to pursue.

Changing Simon’s name is Jesus’ way of affirming his faith in Peter as His chief apostle, even though He knew that Peter would one day deny Him.

The new name Peter bore would be a constant challenge to him to live up to its meaning and truly become a rock on whom others could lean and depend in times of crisis.

While having a Christian first name is important, it is more important that God formed us and calls us by name to be His; that Jesus no longer calls us servants but friends, that our names are written in the Book of Life.

If we remember these things about our name, then we will realize better our dignity as disciples, give more direction to our lives and attain our destiny as saints.

God Bless

Msgr. Powell

The Epiphany of our Lord

Posted on by Cassie

The Magi lived outside the Holy Land.  They saw the star and knew something very special had happened to the world.  St. Matthew tells us that they saw the star and knew they had to follow it.

If you want to find a practical lesson today, think about the message of the star.  God sees to it that people who really care, who are really looking for right answers, will find Jesus.  Jesus  Himself said: “time of the star” will surely emerge, as it did for the Magi.

God makes sure  that the gospel of love reaches out to all people everywhere.  What is important is that we who have experienced a time of the star in our lives can help others—by our witness, kindness, service – to see the star of Christ.

All around our neighborhood there are many people for various reasons who have never taken the time to look up to see if there is a star in the heavens for them.  Our joy in Gospel living, our service to others, even the very way we speak or act, can help these people look up.  We call this evangelization: drawing others to search for and experience the light and warmth of the Star of  Bethlehem.  This Epiphany we ask God to help us in this effort.

God Bless

Msgr. Powell