A New Beginning

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time A

January 29, 2008

Isaiah 8:23—9:3

Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14

1 Corinthians 1:10-13,

17 Matthew 4:12-23 or 4:12-17

Always a Beginner
There is a Chinese proverb that goes: The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. (Lao Tzu). We can name famous athletes, actors & actresses, political leaders, and all other influential people, who started from a humble beginning before they rose to popularity. Before their glourious triupm they had to start from the scratch and really worked hard. As Plato said, “The beginning is the most important part of the work.”

We don’t have to go far, let us ask ourselves, how can you compare your life today compare to what you were ten or twenty or thirty years ago? I’ve met lots our parishioners who love to tell their story when they first came to Australia. They love to recall how they came here as migrants – no friends, no family, no big houses, no cars, and no English! Look at them now. How they have achieved a lot and made a difference in this country.

Today I looked up what I wrote in my diary ten years ago, the date was January 10, 1998, the time was 12:55 am. I was deeply in love with this girl, I couldn’t sleep and I eat because of her. Today, ten years later, I am deeply in-love with Jesus. I sleep a lot and I eat a lot!

In every chapter of our life there is a new beginning.

Readings
Today’s readings present us series of beginnings among the lives of God’s people in the Old Testament, to the lives of early Christians in the New Testament, and to the ministerial life of Jesus.

The first reading from Isaiah speaks of the coming of light which will break the burden and oppression of God’s people. The dark days of oppression and deportation of the God’s people will finally be transformed into the light of joy and salvation. The prophecy of Isaiah vanquishes all the darkness of war, violence, suppression and captivity to give way to the experiences of joyful festivals. A new beginning of hope and joy.

In the second reading St Paul begs the Corinthians, in the name of Jesus, “to be united in the same mind and in the same purpose.” They must change their old ways, to stop their quarrelling, end their misunderstanding and be united in Christ! A new beginning of unity and peace.

Today’s Gospel marks a new beginning of Jesus’ ministry. It tells us of the first public ministry of Jesus. You will notice John the Baptist is no longer in the scene. It signals the beginning of the New Testament; Jesus began preaching in Galilee and working out of Capernanum; and as he begins his mission the Gospel presents him as the light of the nations.

...the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light,
on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen.

The Gospel is fitting as we celebrate today Australia day. It’s a day when we as nation how this beautiful country Australia began to welcome people from different nations, races and culture. What we are celebrating today are all the things that make us “young and free” as Advance Australia Fair goes. We thang God for being happy and blessed to be Australian, and to live in Australia (I am not Australian citizen).

Challenge of Secularization

Today, we acknowledge the beauty of our country, but as a Catholic Church in Australia and as Christians, we also need to acknowledge that there are certain things in our country that needs transformation through the light of Christ. We have to acknowledge that we are also facing “spiritual” problems cause by modern secularization, materialism, and abuses of morality.

With our prayers and firm trust in God a new beginning is possible.

One of the most significant events in Australia this year is the World Youth Day in Sydney. We pray that this historical event would mark a new evangelization and a new Pentecost to our country particularly to our young people.

Let me read an excerpt from the letter of invitation of Pope Benedict XVI to the young people to attend World Youth Day in Sydney.

My dear young friends, I hope to see very many of you in Sydney in July 2008. It will be a providential opportunity to experience the fullness of the Holy Spirit’s power. Come in great numbers in order to be a sign of hope and to give appreciative support to the Church community in Australia that is preparing to welcome you. For the young people of the country that will host you, it will be an exceptional opportunity to proclaim the beauty and joy of the Gospel to a society that is secularized in so many ways.

During the Holy Communion we will play for the first time in our paristh the theme of World Youth Day 2008, entitled Receive the Power. It is built around the theme chosen by Pope Benedict XVI: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8).

Let us pray in the Mass that we may make another step closer to Jesus. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Let us allow the Light of Jesus to lead us step by step to our day to day journey with him, until our faces reflect his goodness and love. Amen.

.

.

Photo: undated picture of my father