Third Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A - Sunday, January 25, 2026 (EPISODE-568

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A - Sunday, January 25, 2026 (EPISODE-568)

Image Credit- https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/qncmknqSptH1K0xH9Rvn/jesus-calls-out-to-the-four-apostles-in-their-fishing-boats-the-miraculous-catch-of-fish?ru=Paul-Evangelion

Readings for Sunday, January 25, 2026 - Third Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A
FIRST READING: Isaiah 8:23b—9:3
Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14. "The Lord is my light and my salvation."
SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (cf. Matt 4:23). Alleluia, alleluia! Jesus preached the good news of the Kingdom. And healed all who were sick.
GOSPEL: Matthew 4:12-23 or 4:12-17
Image Credit- https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/qncmknqSptH1K0xH9Rvn/jesus-calls-out-to-the-four-apostles-in-their-fishing-boats-the-miraculous-catch-of-fish?ru=Paul-Evangelion 

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Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers, and homily), for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A - Sunday, January 25, 2026, by clicking this link here:  https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-ep-568-the/s-ObkgQlvjf8L  (EPISODE- 568)
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What are the things that make for peace? A listening ear and a humble heart that allow us to set aside our pride and truly listen to those around us and their experiences. The readings this weekend remind us of how important it is that we remain united, united in Christ and respectful of each other, one big family, one big community in Christ. Christ is our peace, and so when we stay connected to Christ and united with one another, we're in good hands.

 

This is Faith, Hope and Love. Holy Spirit, Amen.

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If we thought that the early church was more filled with the Spirit, more united, more idyllic than ours is 2,000 years later, the second reading quickly brings us back to reality.

 

The Corinthian community in the New Testament period had just as many misunderstandings, conflicts, personality clashes, and power plays as one sees in modern society. The Corinthian community was, at the time of St. Paul's letter, quite divided. Bickering and fragmentation, ambition, pride, political wrangling, and misunderstanding were severely damaging the community.

 

The second reading indicates that people were taking sides along lines of personality within the community, rather than adhering to the message of the Gospel of Jesus. But St. Paul implores the community members, "Remember your unity in Jesus." In order that we put our service in the hands of Jesus' good news, St. Paul reminds us, today as much as back then, that fostering a sense of unity, that is seeing ourselves as all on about one and the same mission, one single project with different aspects, this mindset is absolutely essential.

 

The Gospel passage of the disciples being called by Christ is a wonderful example of the response a disciple should have, and it has a deeper metaphorical meaning too. Jesus called his disciples and they dropped everything, following him immediately, leaving everything behind. They did this literally and also figuratively.

 

They left their previous life behind and its attachments, and also they, in a real sense, forgot themselves and their own plans and ambitions, and followed now the new path of being on about Christ's vision. St. Paul in the second reading continues this theme of self-forgetting and Christ-focusing. If there is to be any ambition at all, as St. Paul said, it must only be the ambition to support each other and all others in Christ, with all our hearts.

 

If there is to be any competition in a Christian community, it's only trying to excel in showing true mutual kindness and compassion of Christ to each other, striving with every effort at working together with our vision, looking outward and forward toward the goal our Lord himself has set. St. Paul, when he says this, knew that this was not always easy, in fact, it requires sacrifice, humility and a real dedication. Naturally, divisions can occur for all sorts of different reasons.

 

People may genuinely and honestly disagree on how they should achieve a particular value or goal, but as St. Paul says in another letter, the answer to such dilemmas goes down to the fundamental debt that we owe to each other. This time it was the Roman community of believers he was talking to. And he said in that case, the only thing we owe each other is this, the debt of mutual love.

 

Don't be throwing up any other debt that someone owes you. The one and true debt that we owe each other, that really needs to be called in, is a debt of mutual love and respect for each other. In everything we do, in everything we say, it must be for the furtherance of Christ's gospel and at the service of establishing God's kingdom.

 

It must never merely be our own needs and ambitions that we're following. We are all for Christ and we're not for anyone else or anything else. Jesus is the light.

 

In baptism, we are called to carry this light of Christ to each other. Jesus shone his own divine light to others in many wonderful, practical ways. He did it by forgiving, healing, welcoming, sharing, inviting and giving.

 

We think about the many ways we're invited to bring Christ's light to others, and especially in what we do and say, to make the light of Christ shine brighter in us. We're striving with God's grace and hope to be united in one purpose and heart for God's kingdom.

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References:

Fr Paul W. Kelly

Barclay, W. (1975). The Gospel of Matthew. Part I. 2nd ed. Edinburgh: St. Andrew Press.

Image Credit- https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/qncmknqSptH1K0xH9Rvn/jesus-calls-out-to-the-four-apostles-in-their-fishing-boats-the-miraculous-catch-of-fish?ru=Paul-Evangelion 

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A (Sunday, January 25, 2026) (EPISODE- 568)

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
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{{Many thanks for participating in this time of praise and reflection upon our loving God.}}

Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.
Lord Jesus, you have revealed yourself as the way to the Father: Lord, have mercy//You have poured out on your people the Spirit of truth: Christ, have mercy//You are the Good Shepherd, leading us to eternal life: Lord, have mercy.//
May Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
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Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14. "The Lord is my light and my salvation."

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (cf. Matt 4:23). Alleluia, alleluia! Jesus preached the good news of the Kingdom. And healed all who were sick.
Memorial Acclamation
3. Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection, you have set us free.
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PREFACE: Sundays Ordinary II
Euch Prayer Three

(theme variation: 1)

(pre+post variation: v1-long)
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{Many thanks for participating in this time of praise and reflection upon our loving God.}

Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.

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Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com

To listen to the weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks

Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:
"Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul Kelly

Prayers and chants — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL)

Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA)

"The Psalms" ©1963, 2009, The Grail - Collins publishers.

Prayers of the Faithful - " Together we pray" by Robert Borg'. E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993). (Sydney, Australia).

Sung "Mass In Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" - By Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The Gloria, Copyright © 2011 ccwatershed.org.

- "Faith, Hope and Love" theme hymn - in memory of William John Kelly - Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Music by Paul W. Kelly. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.

"Quiet Time." Instrumental Reflection music. Written by Paul W Kelly. 1988, 2007. & This arrangement: Stefan Kelk, 2020.

- "Today I Arise" - For Trisha J Kelly. Original words and music by Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.

Sound Engineering and editing - P.W. Kelly.

Microphones: - Shure MV5 Digital Condenser (USB)

Editing equipment: NCH Software - MixPad Multitrack Studio Recording Software
NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 12.44

Sound Processing: iZotope RX 6 Audio Editor

[Production - KER - 2026]
May God bless and keep you.
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The Second Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A - Sunday, January 18, 2026 (EPISODE-567)​

The Second Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A - Sunday, January 18, 2026 (EPISODE-567)

Readings for Sunday, January 18, 2026 - Second Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A
FIRST READING: Isa 49:3, 5-6
Ps 40:2+4, 7-8a, 8b-9, 10. "Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will."
SECOND READING: 1 Cor 1:1-3
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 1:14a+12a). Alleluia, alleluia! The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us. He enabled those who accepted him to become the children of God. Alleluia.
GOSPEL: John 1:29-34

Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 727445005 - LONDON, GREAT BRITAIN - SEPTEMBER 14, 2017: The "ecce agnus dei" (St. John the Baptist shows to Christ as Redeemer) on stained glass in church St. Michael Cornhill by Clayton and Bell from 19. Cent. Important information. Editorial Use Only. Photo Contributor: Renata Sedmakova
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Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers, and homily), for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A - Sunday, January 18, 2026, by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-ep-567-the/s-8THbordmwdn  (EPISODE-567 )
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Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 727445005 - LONDON, GREAT BRITAIN - SEPTEMBER 14, 2017: The "Ecce Agnus Dei" (St. John the Baptist shows to Christ as Redeemer) on stained glass in the church St. Michael Cornhill by Clayton and Bell from 19. Cent. Important information. Editorial Use Only. Photo Contributor: Renata Sedmakova

GOSPEL THIS WEEKEND
Prologue:

The Church calendar year returns to Ordinary Time. This season takes up over half the year, and it's really the time when there are no major seasons, such as Christmas and Easter, or their preparatory seasons of Advent and Lent. This is the time, Ordinary Time, when the Kingdom of God quietly and slowly, but surely, grows in the ordinary and everyday moments and events of life.

Since the ordinary takes up such a big part of our year, it's important to appreciate the subtlety of this time. Whilst there may not be more dramatic and exceptional tones to this season, it's nevertheless really important. Except for the occasional Feast Day or Saints Day, or Memorial, the Church uses this time to quietly and progressively work its way through the flow of readings assigned for the year.

So we get a time to slow down, stop and breathe, and really deepen our appreciation of God's Word and God's values in the everyday moments of life. This is a time for hidden treasures to be uncovered. Treasures kept in ordinary clay jars, to use that Biblical image.

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Homily- 

Now that ordinary time has well and truly begun, it's wonderful that the Scriptures speak of commissioning and sending. It's also good from the outset of any new season to recall clearly just who we are following and why we're following Him, including what is it about Him that's so important, to be clear about our Lord and Master and His values and what His vision entails so that we can join in fully and with clear sight. Like Isaiah, we too have been formed by God, called by God to be a light to all nations, not just a few.

We're also called to be open, and particularly to open our ears to God's Word and open our hearts to God's values and ways of seeing things. And God's ways are often refreshingly different from our own ways. We're commissioned to keep God's Word by nurturing it deep in our hearts, cherishing God's Word and savouring it, and also to unstop our lips and use our mouths to speak of God's goodness.

Meanwhile, in the Gospel, John testifies that this is Jesus, the Son of God, the sacrificial and spotless Lamb who would take away the sins of all the world, the one on whom the Spirit rests. This is also the meaning to which our discipleship testifies in word and in action. 

All who have been baptised in Christ share that same Holy Spirit that rested on our Lord Jesus.(1)

We're called to undertake the same mission, being a light to others, the light of Christ, serving others, giving of ourselves in love, compassion and generosity, and to be instruments of God's mercy, kindness and justice. In the Gospel today, three names are used to describe Jesus.(3)

Firstly, He's called the Lamb of God, a symbol of strength and vulnerability. The Lamb of God takes away the sinful condition of the world. Twenty-one centuries down the track, there's still violence and hunger and sin and exploitation on a massive scale. The work of Jesus, the one who is strong enough to risk vulnerability so that others might have life, the work of God's Lamb is never done, and so the work of His disciples is never finished.(2)

Secondly, our Lord is called the one on whom the Spirit ascends and remains. Utterly filled with the Spirit and capable of giving His Spirit to others, Jesus has the power and the desire to heal, to forgive, to help in very practical ways, to work for justice and to show the Father's love to all.(3) 

Thirdly, Jesus is called the Son of God, or the Chosen One.

We can reflect deeply upon those names and descriptions of Christ, as our Lord asks Peter in another part of the Gospels, But you, who do you say I am? So it's really important at this time that we reflect upon how we name Jesus. Who is Jesus to us? What qualities of our Lord particularly move us and inspire us? The image we choose to describe our Lord at this time will reflect something of our growing understanding of the one whom we pledged ourselves to follow as disciples.(3) Such images include, but of course do not exhaust the list, those that include Jesus is the Divine Mercy.

Our Lord is also immeasurable and inexhaustible compassion. Christ is infinite love. The Lord is the suffering servant.

He is utter obedience. Christ is true peace. Our Lord is also self-forgetting rescuer.

He is the perfection of kindness and justice embracing. The Lord is the restorer of original innocence. Christ is perfect empathy, and so many more.

What are some of your favourite descriptions of our Lord? 

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References:

Fr Paul W. Kelly

(1) Fr Greg Friedman with the "Sunday Soundbite" for St. Anthony Messenger Press, on the Web at FranciscanRadio.org. Post by Christopher Heffron:    https://www.franciscanmedia.org/2nd-sunday-in-ordinary-time/

(2) Sr Veronica Lawson RSM.    https://www.ballarat.catholic.org.au/_uploads/ppage/files/Pastoral%20Ministry%20Office/19%20Jan%202020%20Reflection%20on%20the%20Gospel.pdf

(3) Sr Patricia Stevenson RSJ. Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart. Second Week Ordinary Time A.   https://www.sosj.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/2ndWeekOrdinaryTime-YearA.pdf

Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 727445005 - LONDON, GREAT BRITAIN - SEPTEMBER 14, 2017: The "Ecce Agnus Dei" (St. John the Baptist shows to Christ as Redeemer) on stained glass in the church St. Michael Cornhill by Clayton and Bell from 19. Cent. Important information. Editorial Use Only. Photo Contributor: Renata Sedmakova



(Sunday, January 18, 2026) (EPISODE-567)

The Lord be with you.
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{{Kindness and grace to you all}}

As one family in Christ, let us prepare to celebrate the sacred mysteries by recalling our sins.
Lord Jesus, you have revealed yourself as the way to the Father: Lord, have mercy.
You have poured out on your people the Spirit of truth: Christ, have mercy.
You are the Good Shepherd, leading us to eternal life: Lord, have mercy.

May Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.  Amen.
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Ps 40:2+4, 7-8a, 8b-9, 10. "Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will."

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 1:14a+12a). Alleluia, alleluia! The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us. He enabled those who accepted him to become the children of God. Alleluia.
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Memorial Acclamation
2. When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.
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PREFACE: Sundays I
EP II
Communion side.  pwk:  LH
(theme variation: v7 )
(pre+post variation: v1-long)
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{I gratefully acknowledge and give thanks to God for your prayers at this time of prayer and reflection upon our God.}

Go in peace. (Glorifying the Lord by your life)
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{thank you for your company as we have given thanks and praise to our God.}      /    Go forth, the Mass is ended.

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Archive of homilies and reflections:  http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email:  paulwkelly68@gmail.com

To listen to the weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here:  https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks

Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:
"Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection"  - Led by Rev Paul Kelly

Prayers and chants  — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the Liturgy. (ICEL)

Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989,  and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA)

"The Psalms" ©1963, 2009,  The Grail - Collins Publishers.

Prayers of the Faithful -   " Together we pray" by Robert Borg.   E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993) . (Sydney, Australia).

Sung "Mass In Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" -  By Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The Gloria,  Copyright © 2011 ccwatershed.org.

- "Faith, Hope and Love" theme hymn - in memory of  William John Kelly -     Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Music by Paul W. Kelly. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.

"Quiet Time."  Instrumental Reflection music. Written by Paul W. Kelly, 1988, 2007. & This arrangement: Stefan Kelk, 2020.

- "Today I Arise" - For Trisha J Kelly.  Original words and music by Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer.  Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.

Sound Engineering and editing -  P.W. Kelly.

Microphones: -  Shure MV5 Digital Condenser (USB)

Editing equipment: NCH software - MixPad Multitrack Studio Recording Software
NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 12.44

Sound Processing:  iZotope RX 6 Audio Editor

[Production -  KER -  2026]
May God bless and keep you.
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