Third Sunday in Ordinary Time — Called by the Living Word

Today the Church celebrates not only the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time,
but also the Sunday of the Word of God.

That is not accidental.

Because what we hear in the Gospel today is the Word of God
breaking into darkness —
a Word that does not remain on a page, but becomes a call.

Matthew tells us that Jesus begins His ministry in Galilee of the Gentiles.

A place of mixture and confusion.
A place where people were unsure what to believe.

And Matthew says: “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light.”

Light does not wait for perfect conditions.

It shines where it is needed most.

The Word of God does not come only to those who are already certain.

It comes to those who are searching.

That is why the Church today draws our attention to the Word.

Not to honour a book, but to recognise a voice. A voice that still speaks.

Jesus begins with one sentence: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

That is the first preaching of the Gospel. And it is still being spoken.

The Word of God is not information.

It is invitation.

Then Jesus calls His first disciples. “Follow me.”

They are fishermen — men with ordinary lives.

And they leave their nets. Immediately.

Not because they understand everything,
but because the Word has reached their hearts.

This is what the Word of God does.

It calls us out of what is familiar toward what is true.

Isaiah helps us see what is happening.

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.”

Darkness is not just suffering. It is confusion about where to go.

The Word of God gives direction because it reveals God Himself.

This is why the Church gives us the Sunday of the Word of God.

The Bible is not a private book. It is the living Word entrusted to the Church.

Before it was written,
it was preached.

Before it was printed,
it was believed.

And today it is proclaimed
not in isolation,
but in the liturgy,
where Christ still speaks to His people.

We do not open the Bible
to find our own opinions.

We listen in the Church
so that we may hear Christ.

The second reading from St Paul shows us what happens when this is forgotten.

The Christians in Corinth are divided. “I belong to Paul.” “I belong to Apollos.”

Paul is firm: “Is Christ divided?”

The Word of God is not meant to create factions.

It gathers us into one Body.

That is why Scripture must always be read
within the faith of the Church.

The Word has a home.

And that home is the Church
where it is proclaimed,
guarded,
and lived.

When the Gospel is read at Mass,
it is not being recited.

It is being addressed.

Christ is speaking now.

This is why we stand.

This is why we listen.

This is why the Word always leads
to the altar.

We hear Christ,
then we receive Him.

The same Lord
who called fishermen
now feeds His people.

The disciples heard the Word
and responded.

They left their nets.

For us, the nets are different.

Fear.
Habit.
Comfort.
Sin.

The Word still calls.

Not to condemn,
but to lead us into life.

The Sunday of the Word of God
is not about reading more.

It is about listening better.

Letting the Word question us.
Letting it convert us.
Letting it lead us.

The Bible is powerful
because it is not just a record of what God said.

It is what God is still saying.

And the Church exists
to make sure that Word is heard
clearly and faithfully
in every age.

Jesus still walks
along the shore of our lives.

He still says:

“Follow me.”

The light has come.

The Word has been spoken.

What remains
is our response.

May we not be among those
who hear but do not follow.

May we be among those
who let the living Word
change the direction of our lives.