The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
On this Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, we are reminded that God has chosen each one of us. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus calls the first of his Apostles, telling them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” These men he called weren’t perfect or extraordinary people. They were humans who made mistakes just like the rest of us. And just like us, they were sinners in need of a loving savior. As he lovingly calls out to each one of them, they choose to drop what they were doing and follow him.
Jesus is calling each of us in the same way. Are we willing to drop what we are doing and follow him? This is a decision we need to make daily.
We are all human, and sometimes we make decisions that align more with our will over God’s will. Later, Jesus tells the same Apostles and us in the Gospel of Matthew 26:41, “Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” This happens right before Jesus is arrested and is praying in the garden. He asks the disciples to pray, and instead they fall asleep while he is praying.
Jesus willingly became one of us out of love. Then he chose to suffer and die for each of us. This was a choice he made to save all of us so we can be forgiven and live with him for eternity. It’s our turn to choose to follow him. As his followers, he wants us to share his Gospel message with others, showing them the same love and mercy he has shown us.
May we continue to choose to follow Jesus Christ, as we become fishers of men, spreading the Good News of his love and mercy to all we meet.
Your brother in Christ
Deacon Manny
