REFLECTION FOR THE THIRD SUNDA IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR B)

REFLECTION FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY

 IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE LITURGICAL YEAR (B) – January 21, 2018

PIUSRALH EFFIONG, SMMM              piusralphe@gmail.com        +2348 0668 90324

Today’s Reading:

1st Reading: Jonah 3:1-5.10
Responsorial: Psalm 25:4-5ab.6.7bc.8-9 (R.4a)
2nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 7:29-31

Accl. Matt. 1:15

Gospel: Matt. 1:14-20

Theme: Responding to God’s Call for Repentance

Today’s liturgy of the word puts across to each and every one of us a call for repentance. The gospel pericope according to Mark brings to our consciousness the need to be ready to give a prompt response to God’s invitation to change for better, without giving excuse(s), with love and open heart. We are told of how Christ invited Simon and Andrew, and put to them saying: “Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. This of course is what the Lord has required of us, a prompt response without delay. In the first reading, we see similar drama taken place among the Ninevites, when God sent Jonah to go and announce to them the message of destruction if they still remain obstinate in sin.  Jonah responded to this command, and went into this great city known for all sorts of iniquities and delivered the message. The Ninevites immediately responded to this call for repentance through fasting, and putting on of sackcloth, and behold, the Lord kept to His promise and grant them pardon. While the second reading underscores the fact that we have little or no time with us, as the time is very near. Therefore, we need to buckle up by being conscious of the fact that each day we are getting closer to our end. Then the right time to say: “Yes, I do” to God is now. And this response is to be characterized with being faithful to God’s commands in our thoughts, words and actions. Finally, let us join the Psalmist in today’s psalm praying: “O Lord, make me know your ways.” PEACE BE WITH YOU!