Saint Isidore the Farmer Catholic Church

A Message from Our Pastor on The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, January 22, 2023            

In the Gospel of Matthew, the content of Jesus’ initial preaching is summed up in one sentence: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mt 4:12-23). In one sentence, Jesus exhorts us to turn away from sin, and gives us a very good reason to do so: there is a new kingdom at hand, the kingdom of heaven! Matthew, inspired by the Holy Spirit, recognizes this new advent as the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy, “the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen.” The truth is, many people today do not realize just how good and fulfilling it is to live in the “great light” of Christ. If they did, they would certainly repent of their sins. We must ask ourselves: Is it worth it to take the time necessary to ponder our sins and formally renounce them? I agree with Pope Benedict XVI, who in the inaugural Mass of his pontificate proclaimed, “And so, today, with great strength and great conviction, on the basis of long personal experience of life, I say to you, dear young people: Do not be afraid of Christ! He takes nothing away, and he gives you everything. When we give ourselves to him, we receive a hundredfold in return. Yes, open, open wide the doors to Christ and you will find true life.”…. Continue reading by clicking here.