Homily for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

January 25, 2026

Some years ago, a Greek philosopher and teacher ended a lecture asking, “Are there any questions?” In the audience was a popular author named Robert Fulghum. Fulghum asked, “Dr. Papaderos, what is the meaning of life?” This was followed by some laughter and some people stirred to go. Papaderos held up his hand and stilled the room, looked at Fulghum for some time, asking with his eyes if this was a serious question. Seeing that it was, the philosopher decided to answer the question.

Taking his wallet out of his pocket, he fished into it and brought out a very small, round mirror, about the size of a quarter. Then he said, “When I was a small child, during the war, we were very poor and we lived in a remote village. One day, on the road, I found several broken pieces of a mirror from a wrecked German motorcycle. I tried to find all the pieces and put it back together, but it was not possible, so I kept only the largest piece. This one. And by scratching it on a stone I made it round. I began to play with it as a toy and became fascinated by the fact that I could reflect light into dark places where the sun would never shine—in deep holes and crevices and dark closets. It became a game for me to get light into the most inaccessible places I could find. I kept the little mirror, and as I went about growing up, I would take it out in idle moments and continue the challenge of the game. As I became a man, I grew to understand that this was not just a child’s game but a metaphor for what I might do with my life. I came to understand that I am not the light or the source of the light. But light—truth, understanding, knowledge—is there, and it will only shine in many dark places if I reflect it. I am a fragment of a mirror whose whole design and shape I do not know. Nevertheless, with what I have, I can reflect light into the dark places of this world—into the black places of the hearts of men—and change some things in some people. Perhaps others may see and do likewise. This is what I am about. This is the meaning of my life.

In today’s readings we find a reference to light. In the first passage from Isaiah, we have heard, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.” In the Responsorial Psalm: “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear?” And in the Gospel, when Jesus enters Galilee, Matthew makes reference back to our first reading from Isaiah: “the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen.”

And then, Jesus invites others to share in his mission. He calls Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John, inviting them to drop their fishing nets, and follow him. They would no longer be catching fish; now, their focus is on people, particularly those living in darkness, gloom and death. They are called to join Jesus in bringing the light of God to those whose lives are bleak: living in poverty, illness, ignorance, abuse and isolation. They are called to reflect, not the light of the sun, but the light of the very Son of God, the light of the world.

Now, I want to focus briefly on our second reading of St. Paul to the Corinthians. He has heard that there are divisions in the Church community, and he doesn’t like it. “I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,” he wrote, “that all of you agree in what you say, and that there be no divisions among you.” He has heard that there are rivalries, people claiming that they are in different camps, different parties, if you will. I belong to Paul. I belong to Apollos. I belong to Peter.

Paul asks some questions that get to the heart of the matter. “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” Through all these rivalries, Paul sees that the people are warping the message, making it less genuine. Why would anyone want to join them if they’re fighting all the time?

Well, today we are the disciples. We are called to be bearers of light, and harmony and healing. We are called to fish in the name of Jesus, making his life and teaching attractive, so that others will want to become part of it—so that they will want to spread light rather than darkness, and love, not hate.

Let’s remember the question with which we started: what is the meaning of life? What’s your life all about? What do you hope to accomplish? Have you really thought about it? Well, here’s our chance. Can we join Jesus in his fishing expedition? Can we unite around his purpose? Can we bring light to those who are discouraged, lonely, neglected, battered down by life, living in poverty, illness, or neglect? Can we be light in very real, practical ways, right here in our part of God’s world?