The Holy Gospel according to Matthew (4:12-17, 23-25)
When Jesus heard that John had been arrested,
he withdrew to Galilee.
He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea,
in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali,
that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet
might be fulfilled:
Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles,
the people who sit in darkness
have seen a great light,
on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death
light has arisen.
From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say,
“Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
He went around all of Galilee,
teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom,
and curing every disease and illness among the people.
His fame spread to all of Syria,
and they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases
and racked with pain,
those who were possessed, lunatics, and paralytics,
and he cured them.
And great crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, and Judea,
and from beyond the Jordan followed him.
Reflection:
Jesus can take a nobody; and make them a somebody; in front of everybody; and didn’t have to ask anybody. By virtue of the divinity and grace that is embedded in our human DNA AND by the Words spoken in this Gospel; we could do the same. But too often in our lives we are busy with our business instead of the lives of others.
We all know what the Beatitudes is asking of us, but we treat the Beatitudes as if they were a commandment or a rule. If we don’t do “X” then we aren’t going to heaven. I don’t think that is what God is telling us nor the Beatitudes. I believe it is telling us that the “Beatitudes” is a way of life; it’s the way we think, talk and react; it’s an attitude. In the Beatitudes, the word “blessed” means fortunate, or a state of spiritual well-being and prosperity. The Greek word translated as “blessed” means “happy, blissful,” or “to be enlarged”. And when we are happy and blessed then we are to share it with others. It’s not a chip or a credit for us to be accepted into heaven.
Today’s scripture is defining Jesus’ active ministry in Galilee by the proclamation of the Kingdom of Heaven and the immediate response required to follow him. It is emphasizing the radical nature of leaving everything behind to fully embrace his teachings and healing power, which brings light to the darkness of the world of us. Today’s Words is describing Jesus as the light of the world. If we believe in these “Words” then we naturally become the “Light” as well through discipleship, the power of proclamation, and by responding to the call.
We are the “light” that shines in the darkness for our sisters and brothers by fulfilling prophecy and bringing hope to those living in spiritual darkness. In radical discipleship we accept the call to “follow Jesus” which obviously demands a complete commitment, leaving behind our worldly attachments to fully embrace the life and mission of Jesus. The Power of Proclamation: Jesus’ message of the Kingdom of Heaven is not just words, but a powerful action that brings healing and transformation to people’s lives. Just as the fishermen immediately left their nets to follow Jesus, we are called to respond readily to God’s call in our lives.
Therefore, by the grace of the Holy Spirit and by the virtue of our divine DNA, we too can take a nobody; and make them a somebody; in front of everybody; and didn’t have to ask anybody … Only God.
Action of the Day: In your meditation for today ask God where you should share your divine DNA and your light? Ask Him who shall you share it with? Then ask Him, how shall I do it?
Audio Reflection:
Link to D5 Website: https://deacon5.com/