Catholic Calendar for Sunday, January 23, 2005
The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 8:23--9:3
Psalm 27:1,4,13-14
1 Corinthians 1:10-13,17
Matthew 4:12-23

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand" (Matthew 4:17)

Jesus, the Way, proclaims the good news that forgiveness and remission for sin through Him is opening the Kingdom of Heaven and full union in God for repentant souls. God does not abide where sin is nor does one in sin abide where God is. Sin separates us from God.

Souls choose to "enter in" and "remain in" union with God through Jesus, the Way, who forgives sin in the sacrament of penance. In souls freed from sin, Jesus establishes His Kingdom and remains united through His gift of holy Eucharistic presence.

The Kingdom, the Promised Land, our inheritance, our covenantal union is the very bosom of God into which He most tenderly and lovingly receives us united in the gift of Self presented by His only begotten Son. We are joined as One in Him. "I pray that they may be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me." (John 17:20,21)

We realize with St. Paul, as Jesus transforms us and unites us in Himself, "I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me."(Gal.2:20)
The Word is made flesh and the Kingdom of God is proclaimed anew in each transformed soul!

Most merciful Lord,
illumine my sins so I may repent
and Thy will be done in the earth of my daily living
as it is in the heaven of my eternal soul
proclaiming the good news that Your kingdom is at hand.
Amen

- Mary Williams
(www.impactbydesign.biz)

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posted by joachim at 4:12 AM