January 23rd - Reflection

Third Sunday After Epiphany
Matthew 4:12-23 (NRSV)
Christ revealed as a prophet

Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
"Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,
on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles
the people who sat in darkness
have seen a great light,
and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death
light has dawned."

From that time Jesus began to proclaim, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."

As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea for they were fishermen. And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.

Reflection
Jesus begins his ministry in the northern regions of Israel. The northern regions around the Sea of Galilee. Taken over by the Assyrians. The same people that seemed to produce all of those "bad" kings of the Old Testament. The same people that always seemed to be the outcast and stench to the people of Judah. Jesus begins his ministry in this place and calls his disciples from this dark place. These people who have been walking in darkness for so many years.

Why not begin the ministry in Jerusalem. Wasn't that the "capital" of the real Jews? Why not begin and call the disciples from the religious elite? Instead, Jesus starts in the dark places. Calls those from humble occupations to be his disciples. Jesus takes what seemingly would never work and those who have the least qualifications and recreates life through himself and through his disciples.

These people who have sat in the region of darkness and the shadow of death have seen a great Light. They are part of the beginnings of Jesus' ministry. To these very people Jesus called disciples and proclaimed the good news of the kingdom, curing every disease and sickness among the people.

Not much different in the way Jesus comes to you and to me. Not much difference at all. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, I give you thanks that you come to the poor, the hungry, the humble and the needy. I give you thanks that you have graciously chosen to come to me, to call me, to enlighten me and to lead me into new life through you. Lord, I give you thanks for your Light. --- Amen