Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Intention: That our Lasallian schools will continue to be places where the sinfulness of exclusion and marginalization is dispelled by the light of acceptance and respect.
Today’s Gospel | Matthew 4:12-17
When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen. From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
From the Tenth Meditation for the Time of Retreat | Saint John Baptist de La Salle
Consider that the purpose of the coming of the Son of God into this world was to destroy sin. This must also be the main purpose of the establishment of the Christian Schools and, therefore, the first object of your zeal. It must lead you to allow nothing in the children under your guidance that could displease God. If you observe in them something that offends God, you must immediately do all that you are able to remedy the problem.
Prayer
Eternal Father, you call all people to do your will and help to build your Kingdom on earth. As adults, we have a special responsibility to do this through the love and care that we give to our children. We pray for the guidance of your Holy Spirit, that we will have the wisdom and compassion to do right by the young, especially those who know poverty, marginalization, displacement, exploitation, and neglect. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.