22 January 2023 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
on them light has shined.
From Isaiah:23-9:3, NRSV

Today we hear again the stirring words from Isaiah so recently heard at the first Mass of Christmas, promising light in darkness. The nations  to which the prophet refers suffered greatly at the hands of the invading Syrian army. Yet, as we shall hear in today’s Gospel, it was in these northern territories of Israel that Jesus began his earthly ministry and so began the fulfilment of Isaiah’s prophecy.

• • Why do you suppose the prophet used the symbol of light? 
  • Where are the “dark places” of our own times?

Pray  today for those whose lives are blighted by the darkness of war, oppression, illness or poverty.