Homily – Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

SCROLL DOWN FOR CHILDREN’S LITURGY QUESTIONS

Dear brothers and sisters,
Today, on the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Word of God gives us a message of hope and direction. It reminds us that God does not leave us in darkness. He comes to meet us where we are and invites us to walk with Him, together as one community.

In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah speaks about people who were living in darkness but have now seen a great light. This darkness was not only about night or lack of sunshine. It was about fear, suffering, confusion, and feeling forgotten. God promises that light will come—and that light brings joy and new life. In our own lives, we also face dark moments: family problems, sickness, poverty, loneliness, or division in our community. Today we are reminded that God’s light is stronger than any darkness we face.

In the second reading, Saint Paul speaks clearly to the Church in Corinth. He tells them to stop fighting and dividing themselves. Some were saying, “I belong to Paul,” others, “I belong to Apollos.” Paul reminds them that we all belong to Christ. This message is very important for us today. In our families, parishes, and societies, divisions can easily arise—because of opinions, tribes, politics, or personal interests. Saint Paul calls us back to unity. When we remember that Christ is our center, we learn to listen, forgive, and walk together.

In the Gospel, we see Jesus beginning His public ministry. His first message is simple: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Then He calls ordinary people—fishermen—to follow Him. They immediately leave their nets and follow Jesus. This shows us that following Jesus is not only for special people. It is for all of us. Jesus calls us in our daily work, in our families, in our schools, and in our communities. He invites us to change our hearts and to trust Him.

Brothers and sisters, today Jesus stands before us with the same invitation He gave to the fishermen by the Sea of Galilee: He does not ask us to be perfect. He asks us to be willing. He asks us to leave behind whatever keeps us in darkness—anger, division, fear, or sin—and to walk in His light. As we go back to our homes and daily lives, let us remember that being Christian is not only about coming to church. It is about how we live after Mass. When we choose peace instead of fighting, unity instead of division, and love instead of selfishness, we become the light that Isaiah spoke about. Our families change. Our community’s change. Even small acts of kindness can bring great light.

May this Eucharist give us the strength to answer Jesus with our lives. Like the first disciples, may we trust Him enough to follow, and may others see Christ through us. If we walk with Jesus, we will never walk in darkness.

CHILDREN’S LITURGY QUESTIONS

1. Did Jesus begin His ministry in Galilee? Yes
2. Did Jesus leave Nazareth and go to Capernaum? Yes
3. Was Galilee already full of light before Jesus came? No
4. Did Jesus bring light to the people? Yes
5. Did Jesus preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”? Yes
6. Did Jesus tell people to keep living in sin? No
7. Did Jesus walk by the Sea of Galilee? Yes
8. Did Jesus call Simon Peter and Andrew? Yes
9. Were Peter and Andrew farmers? No
10. Were Peter and Andrew fishermen? Yes
11. Were they fishing when Jesus called them? Yes
12. Did they ignore Jesus and walk away? No
13. Did Jesus say He would make them fishers of people? Yes
14. Did Peter and Andrew follow Jesus right away? Yes
15. Did they keep their nets and refuse to follow Him? No
16. Did Jesus also call James and John? Yes
17. Were James and John fixing their nets with their father? Yes
18. Did they refuse to follow Jesus? No
19. Did Jesus teach in the synagogues? Yes
20. Did Jesus heal the sick and suffering people? Yes