Third Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A
January 22, 2017
Gospel: Mt 4:12-23
When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he
withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea,
in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah
the prophet might be fulfilled: Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way
to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in
darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by
death light has arisen. From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent (1),
for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two
brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into
the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, "Come after me, and I will
make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. He
walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee,
and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending
their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their
father and followed him. He went around all of Galilee, teaching
in their synagogues
(2), proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease
and illness among the people.
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The difficult words
(1)We repent when
we feel regret or sorrow about something that we have done or have failed to
do. When we repent from sin, we ask forgiveness and promise not to sin again.
(2)The synagogue
is the place where the Jewish people met to pray.
This week’s spotlight
Fishers of men
The first Apostles chosen by Jesus are fishermen from
the Sea of Galilee. Jesus calls them by name as he invites them to follow him:
Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John. For three years they stay with Jesus and
listen to his teaching. When Jesus finishes his mission on earth, he sends them
into the world not as fishermen, but “fishers of men."
“Grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will”
The Priest prays these words at each Mass before the
Sign of Peace. He asks Jesus that the members of the Church may live here on
earth with the perfect love that exists in heaven. It is sin that brings
division, and Jesus who brings peace. At the Last Supper, Jesus himself prayed
that his followers be one. Jesus wants our love to be the proof that what we
believe is true.
Reflection
You are a friend of Jesus
Jesus begins his mission by announcing the good news:
“The kingdom of heaven is at hand!” Almost as soon as he makes that
announcement, he shows that the kingdom of heaven is all about love. He calls
four fishermen—Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John - to follow him as his
disciples. Just as Jesus wanted friends to walk by his side, so we all need
friends to walk with us toward God. These four fishermen would be the first
companions of Jesus, but not the last. They would share their love for Jesus
and bring new friends to the faith by their witness - inspiring us even to this
very day. God does not call us to be “lone rangers" who go through life
alone to save our own souls. He made us for love, for community. So join others
who walk with Christ, and invite others to walk with you toward Jesus. He
really wants you to be his friend!
Discussion questions
1.Where does Jesus go after John the Baptist was arrested?
2.What did Jesus say when he sees Peter and Andrew?
3.Who does Jesus call next to follow him?
4.What does Jesus do in Galilee?
After
receiving Holy Communion,
you can say this prayer silently to yourself. If you
have not yet
received your First Communion, you can still say this prayer because of your desire to
receive Jesus.
Father, through Jesus, in
communion with the whole Church, I thank you for coming into my heart. I want
to be your friend. May this Eucharist help me to do your will, and to bring
many new friends into your kingdom.
This week…
Get on the right path
Each morning when you wake up or
when you are on your way to school, recite to yourself the verse from Psalm
143: "Show me the path I should walk, for to you I entrust my life."
Think about each word so that you can focus on the path that leads to the Lord.
Walk together in faith
Ask one of your friends to come
to Mass with you, or ask your parents for permission to sit with one of your
friends during Mass. These are beautiful ways to walk together in faith.
Crossword Puzzle
Source: usccb.org
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