Through the Apostolic Letter Aperuit illis, Pope Francis instituted the third Sunday in Ordinary Time as the Sunday of the Word of God. The Pope wishes the faithful to rediscover the importance of the Bible in their daily life of faith, and not only during liturgical celebrations.
This Sunday is dedicated to the celebration, reflection, and proclamation of the Word, in order to grasp the richness of the constant dialogue between God and his people. For Pope Francis, listening to the Scriptures should lead believers to move beyond individualism and to practice mercy and solidarity. He encourages the faithful to deepen the practice of prayerful reading of the Bible (Lectio divina) in order to nourish their relationship with God.
In the liturgical texts proposed by the Church for this Sunday, the Lord invites us to conversion and to attach ourselves to him. In the Gospel (Mt 4:12-23), the account of Jesus’ ministry is presented, recalling the prophecy according to which a great light was to shine. It is a light that illuminates human history, a path that leads to the Father, a promise of eternal life. God does not allow his people to walk in darkness; he causes a light to arise. Sometimes it is enough to lift our eyes and listen to the call to conversion that leads us toward the light who is Jesus himself, sent to show us the true way.
In the first reading (Is 8:23–9:3), the prophet Isaiah lets us hear part of this prophecy, announcing the imminent coming of the Lord, who will bring deliverance to the exiles of Israel: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who lived in the land of gloom a light has shone” (Is 9:1).
In the Church, Jesus, who is himself the true light shining in the darkness, enlightens our hearts that are in the darkness of sin; he wants to lead us out of death and give us life. He invites us to conversion because he does not want anyone to be lost. Jesus is the light and the liberator of each of us personally; he brings about a new community. We too must find our place according to the heart of the Father, who sends us as brothers and sisters to his children. The Good News of the Kingdom of God that is proclaimed is a Kingdom of peace, love, and truth. The word of Jesus is accompanied by gestures of tenderness; Jesus heals every disease among the people.
In the second reading (1 Cor 1:10-13,17), Saint Paul reacts against the divisions that were tearing apart the Church of Corinth. They had not understood what this light was, because they were living in the darkness of division; therefore, Saint Paul invites them to unity.
Even today, there are so many divisions in our world, between peoples and among members of the same family. The light that the Lord brings us must enlighten our hearts so that we may be converted. Let us accept that this light dwell in our hearts; let us accept to be enlightened by it and to see our brothers and sisters as true brothers and sisters, and not as enemies to be fought.
May this Sunday dedicated to the Word of God help us to reconnect with the reading of God’s Word, to rediscover its importance in our lives as Christians, and to allow ourselves to be converted by it. May this Word guide all our lives and our ways of acting in various circumstances. May the Lord grant us the necessary graces to better savor the richness of the Word of God and, afterwards, to proclaim it to others.
Sister UWITIJAMAHORO Eugénie
Vicariate of Saint Francis Coll
