My dear brothers and sisters today we celebrate the third Sunday in ordinary time. Today’s readings remind us that God enters our darkness with light, calls us from divisions to unity and invites us out of comfort into a deeper mission. In the first reading taken from the book of the prophet Isaiah, Isaiah addresses the people of Israel when they were facing fear, political instability, and foreign threat. The northern regions of Zebulun and Naphtali were among the first to suffer invasion by the Assyrian empire. These lands experienced humiliation, loss and despair. It is in this painful reality that Isaiah announces God’s promise. Isaiah does not deny the sufferings of the people. Instead, he names it honestly, yet the message quickly turns toward hope. The prophet declares that the same land once covered in darkness will see a great light. This light is not just physical brightness but a sign of God’s saving presence returning to His people. Isaiah speaks of Joy like that at harvest time or after a military victory. These are moments of relief, celebration and restored dignity. God promises to break the yoke that burdens the people, symbols of oppression, fear, and injustice. This liberation is described as God’s action alone, reminding Israel that salvation comes not through human power but through divine mercy. This passage speaks deeply to our own experience of darkness, moments of uncertainty, fear, or spiritual dryness, like the people of Isaiah’s time. We often look for quick solutions or human security, yet Isaiah reminds us that true light comes from God. Christians see this promise fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who pierces personal darkens, addiction, grief, sin with liberating light. The text invites us to trust that God is at work even when life feels heavy and unclear. Where there is darkness today, God still promises light, joy, and freedom.
In the second reading taken from St Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, St Paul addresses a serious problem in the early Christian community at Corinth: division. The Corinthians were arguing among themselves and forming groups based on which preacher they preferred, Paul, Apollos, Peter or even claiming to belong only to Christ. These divisions were damaging the unity of the Church and distracting believers from the heart of the Gospel. Paul begins with a strong appeal for unity. He urges the community to be “of the same mind and the same purpose”. This does not mean that everyone must think exactly alike, but that they must be united in faith, love and mission. For Paul among believers is a contradiction of what it means to belong to Christ. He asks pointed questions, “is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you, these questions remind the Corinthians that their faith is centered on Jesus alone, not on human leaders, Paul then clarifies his own role: he says that Christ did not send him primarily to baptize but to preach the Gospel. This is not a rejection of baptism, but a reminder that the power of faith does not come from rituals or personalities. Salvation comes through the message of the cross. Paul insists that the Gospel must not depend on human wisdom, eloquence or status, because that would empty the cross of its true power. This passage challenges us to examine our own attitudes within the Church. We too can become divided by preferences, opinions or loyalty to certain leaders or groups, Paul reminds us that unity is built on Christ crucified. When we focus more on who is right than on loving one another, we weaken our witness. This reading calls us back to humility, unity, and a deeper trust in the saving power of the cross, which alone brigs true life and peace.
In the Gospel taken from Mathew, Jesus begins his public ministry after hearing that John the Baptist has been arrested. Instead of withdrawing in fear, Jesus moves forward. He goes to Galilee, a place considered ordinary, and even looked down upon. Mathew reminds us that this fulfils Isaiah’s prophecy: the people who lived in darkness have seen a great light. Jesus brings God’s gift not to the powerful centers, but to those living on the margin. Jesus’ first message is simple and challenging “repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near”. Repentance here means a change of direction, turning away from old ways and opening one’s life to God. Then Jesus calls His first disciples, Simon peter, Andrew, James and John are ordinary fishermen. Jesus does not force them, he invites them: follow me and I will make you fish for people. God seeks human cooperation; he does not impose his power. The call is gentile, but it is radical. Following Him requires letting go of security, comfort, sometimes even relationships, or dreams that define us. The call is demanding, but it opens the door to a greater mission than anything they had imagined. They were fishing for survival; Jesus called them to fish for people. To participate in God’s work of bringing life, hope, salvation. Jesus then travels throughout Galilee, teaching, preaching and healing. His ministry reveals a god who does not stay distant but walks among people, touching wounds and restoring dignity. The fishermen were comfortable with their routine, casting nets, mending boats, and knowing what each day would bring. When Jesus invited to follow him, he was offering something new and unfamiliar. Their decision to follow required courage; leaving what was familiar, for something uncertain, trusting that God’s vision was greater than their own. This gospel challenges us to ask: what are the nets we cling to? Fear, comfort, routine, or control, God does not force us, but He invites us into something bigger than ourselves. When we dare to trust him, we may lose what feels safe but we discover a deeper purpose. This week Christ passes by our shore again, he does not force us but invites us. May we have the courage to leave the nets of fear, comfort, routine and follow the light. May God bless us all. Amen.