3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A - The Kingdom Is At Hand & “As We Gather At Your Table”
Friends, when we open Matthew’s Gospel this Sunday we hear the very first words Jesus speaks as He steps onto the public stage of His ministry: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Up until now, Matthew has been setting the scene for us. We’ve walked through Jesus’ family tree, celebrated His birth, followed the Magi, fled into Egypt with the Holy Family, mourned the Holy Innocents, stood at the Jordan for His Baptism, and even entered the desert with Him for forty days. All of this has been preparation. Now, something new begins.
John the Baptist has just been imprisoned. His voice, which called Israel to repentance, has fallen silent. And at that very moment, Jesus begins to speak. He takes up John’s message but carries it further than John ever could. Jesus does not simply call people to turn away from sin—He announces something breathtaking: the Kingdom of Heaven is near.
This moment marks an important turning point. John was the last of the Old Testament prophets, pointing ahead to what was coming. Jesus is the fulfillment of everything they had promised. As Saint Jerome beautifully explains, when the Law came to its completion, the Gospel began. What generations had hoped for was no longer distant—it was standing right in front of them.
Jesus’ message is challenging, yes, but it is also filled with hope. His call to repentance is not meant to frighten or crush, but to awaken hearts. By proclaiming that the Kingdom is “at hand,” Jesus stirs a sense of excitement and holy curiosity. Something new is happening. God is drawing very close.
There is a gentle lesson here for us, especially when we think about how we share our faith with others. When we encounter people who are struggling or living far from God, our first instinct can be to judge or correct. But Jesus shows us another way. Before anything else, He offers hope—hope that life can be better, fuller, freer. He invites people not just away from sin, but toward the beauty of God’s Kingdom.
As we reflect on these first words of Jesus’ public ministry, try to imagine how His listeners must have felt. They had not yet seen the miracles or heard the parables. All they had was His voice—and yet it was enough to spark hope. Soon, His signs and wonders would confirm His message. But first, He planted a seed.
Today, ask yourself: who in my life needs that same spark of hope? Who needs to hear, through my words or actions, that God’s Kingdom is near and that change is possible? Pray that the Lord will use you as an instrument of His mercy and hope.
Lord, as You began Your public ministry by proclaiming the Kingdom of Heaven, You awakened hope and holy curiosity in those who first heard You. Continue this work in our world today, and use me as an instrument of that same hope.
In honor of this weekend’s readings, we would like to share our latest video, “As We Gather At Your Table”, a beautifully written hymn by Carl P. Daw, Jr., set to the tune NETTLETON. This piece invites the faithful into true communion: not just sharing bread and wine, but living out Christ’s love through community and service. Its grounded, poetic text emphasizes unity, gratitude, and transformation — key themes of the Eucharist. Combined with the familiar and uplifting melody, this hymn has become a meaningful part of Catholic liturgies worldwide.
Video can be watched by clicking here or by clicking on the thumbnail below.
