THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B SUNDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD, BY FATHER BENOIT MUKAMBA, CCSp
-
THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR BThe Universal Church dedicates this Sunday to the celebration of the Word of God. This is an opportunity to remind us of the importance of the Word of God. We ought to read the Word of God, meditate and pray with it. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 it reads "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." We Christians can be totally secure in the Lord by studying the Bible because it is God's plan for our life. The Word of God is alive and gives life to us. God revealed his word to us so that we may be able to see the truth of God and about ourselves. When God speaks to us He does not merely reveal some set of empirical truths but his Word invites us to participate in his life. “In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he spoke to us through a son, whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe” He 1: 1-2. God spoke and creation came to be (Gen 1: 1-28); God gave life to creation. God sent his messengers the prophets to proclaim his Word to people recalling them to Him. The case of Jonah stands as an example. God mandated Jonah to proclaim repentance to the people of Nineveh. God’s Word to Jonah meant Jonah’s involvement in the work of God. The inhabitants of Nineveh heard the Word of God and transformed their ways of life. For God does not want anyone to be lost but to be saved. Simon and Andrew, James and John all heard the Word of Jesus and followed him leaving everything, even the fish and nets behind. The Word of God invites us to enter into a personal relationship with God.
SUNDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD
SCRIPTURE: Jonah 3: 1-5, 10; Ps 25: 4-9; 1 Cor 7: 29-31; Mark 1: 14-20.
Fr. Benoit Mukamba, CSSp
In the Gospel Jesus, who is the Word made flesh (John 1: 14), reiterates the message of John the Baptist, “Repent”, but this time with greater urgency. “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is here at hand. Repent and believe the Gospel.” (Mark 1: 15). . In order to become true Christians we must abandon old dynamics inconsistent with the Christian faith. The people of Nineveh allowed the Word of God to transform them from their infidelities to faith in God. And Christ says "repent and believe the good news”." We must forsake sin and embrace the ways of God. We must abandon cultures and traditions inconsistent with Christianity and our baptismal promises. Change in our lives is required now, not tomorrow. The second reading and the Gospel sound the tune of urgency in order to warn us of the surprise that could disappoint us. God’s time is not human time. God lives in eternity while we are in time that is limited. And at the end of our life’s journey when we die, we leave the world and enter heaven. What awaits us beyond the grave depends on the fundamental choices we make here and now. Let's examine our conscience for what deprives us from having a good relationship with God or with our colleagues and say it is enough now and decide to change our lives. We should reflect and ask ourselves what do we love so much but lose God? What person do you love so much but he destroys your life, your calling, your marriage? Leave him or her. Is anger what makes you miss out on others? Let go of it. Let us ask God to open our ears to his Word so that we may truly be his adopted children and witnesses of his presence in the world.
