3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

3rd SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME 25 Jan 2026
Today’s Readings (Year A) 1st Reading: Isa 8:23—9:3
2nd Reading: 1 Cor 1:10-17
Gospel: Matt 4:12-17

God’s Permissive Will
When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee… From that
time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at
hand.” Matthew 4:12, 17
WHEN John the Baptist emerged on the scene, he proclaimed his message
with fearless conviction. His central call was one of repentance and baptism for the
forgiveness of sins, urging the people to prepare for the coming of the Messiah. Yet
John did not shy away from addressing the moral and spiritual corruption of his time.
He famously denounced the Pharisees and Sadducees as a “brood of vipers,” rebuking
their hypocrisy and lack of genuine repentance. John’s fearless denunciation of sin,
even among the powerful, ultimately led to his arrest and eventual martyrdom.
This historical context surrounding John’s arrest is crucial because it helps us
understand God’s providence — how He permits certain evils to occur in order to bring
about a greater good. Jesus Himself later affirmed John’s greatness, saying, “Among
those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist” (Matthew
11:11). If the Son of God declared John’s greatness shortly after John’s arrest, why
didn’t God miraculously free him from persecution? The answer lies in John’s mission.
He had fulfilled his primary role: preparing the way for the Lord, the “Lamb of God,
who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).
Reflect today on John’s arrest and consider how you might have reacted if you
had been one of his disciples. From an earthly perspective, martyrdom is difficult to
comprehend or accept, especially in our own lives or in the lives of those we love.
Though John’s arrest and subsequent martyrdom likely brought fear and grief to his
disciples, shaking their sense of security, from an eternal perspective, John’s
martyrdom was his greatest act of witness. It fulfilled his mission by pointing his
disciples — and all of us — toward the true Prophet and Messiah, Jesus Christ. John is
forever glorified in Heaven, and in the end, that is all that truly matters. As we honor
John’s unwavering faith, seek to embrace God’s permissive will in your own life. Even
in the face of suffering or evil, trust that God, in His providence, can bring about a
greater good if we surrender ourselves fully to Him. ● My Catholic Life! Inc