Scripture Reflection, January 25, 2026, Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Isaiah 8:23—9:3 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17 Matthew 4:12-23

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I must repeat a theme from today’s readings that has been prevalent in recent weeks: The good news of Jesus Christ is for all people, not simply the Hebrew people. If repetition is a form of emphasis, God really seems to want us all to understand that. The message is for all people, no matter their race, color, nationality, social status or creed. That is important. However, there are some other gems of wisdom here as well.

In the first reading, from Isaiah, we are reminded that only light can dispel darkness. “The people who have walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shown.”

In Matthew’s gospel passage, that message is reinforced. Jesus begins his own prophesy about the power of light over darkness.

Inviting the people to live in the radiance of God’s light, Jesus prescribes repentance. For this is how they (and we) open ourselves to receive the light that is of Christ. This “light of Christ” was then, and is today, a VERY powerful gift to us. Those of us who choose to embrace it and follow it are blessed with divine energy and the power that can only come from accepting God’s love and then sharing it with others.

A wonderful example of the power of God’s love, as represented by the light of Christ in our lives, can be seen in the conclusion of today’s gospel passage. Jesus calls the first of those to become his disciples: Simon Peter and Andrew. We are told that they come at once; in other words, they do not hesitate, even for a moment. Walking a bit further, Jesus encounters James and John. He calls them and immediately they leave their boat (and their father) and follow him. What incredible power Jesus’ message to the disciples must have had for them. Imagine that! We too have been called. Perhaps our call from Jesus does not seem as dramatic. None-the-less, it is very significant. The first disciples felt compelled to answer the call. So too have we been invited, even compelled to follow Jesus. How have we responded? How will we respond?

by: Bill Miller