January 27, Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Lord is my light and my salvation.--Psalm 27:1

Mass readings: Isaiah 8:23-9:3 / 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17 / Matthew 4:12-23 or 4:12-17

Follow the Leader

The car ahead cruised forward and so did I. I didn't even realize anything was amiss until my husband chuckled and informed me that I had run a red light. How had that happened? I had taken my eyes off the light, content to follow the car in front of me.

In today's second reading, Paul warns against allegiance to human leaders. Jesus is our only real leader. Everyone -- whoever they are, however good they seem to be, and whatever position they hold -- runs God's ''red lights'' at some time. Human leaders, even the best of them, are frail and fallible. That's why, later in his same letter, Paul cautions: ''Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ'' (1 Cor 11:1).

Prayer: Jesus, help me to follow You and You alone.