READ John 1:29-34 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.” As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.
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.
UNDERSTAND by Father Greg Friedman, OFM Our Sunday cycle of Scripture readings this year is based on the Gospel of Matthew. In today’s selection, Matthew describes the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry and quotes a passage from Isaiah, which the liturgy uses for our first reading. The quote sounds familiar since we heard it in the Christmas liturgy: “The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light.” Midnight Mass, when the beauty of the birth of the infant Jesus is before us is a contrast to today’s scene. In the light of day Jesus walks by the Sea of Galilee, and our thoughts turn to the adult mission of the Messiah. That mission takes place in the midst of the Jewish people, laboring under Roman rule. Along the dusty roads and in towns and synagogues, in the face of human suffering and sin, and eventually from Calvary’s hill, Matthew is proclaiming that the light of Christ will conquer death. And lest we think we can remain spectators—as perhaps we were on Christmas before the lovely nativity scene in our church--the liturgy invites us to shoulder the role of disciple, as Jesus calls his first followers. These simple Galilean fishermen left everything in response to that call. Can we hesitate, think it over, give Jesus an answer next week or next month? Not if we take to heart the urgent message of today’s Gospel: “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
DISCUSS
by Father Dan Kroger, OFM • According to the first reading (Isaiah 8:23—9:3), what will now take the place of darkness in Galilee? • In the second reading (1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17), who is writing to the people in the city of Corinth? Why does he write? What has he heard reported about the people in Corinth? What are the divisions among the Corinthians? • The Gospel reading quotes from the prophet Isaiah about Galilee. What does Isaiah call Galilee? When did Jesus go to Galilee? What happened to John the Baptist? After Jesus went to Galilee what did he start doing? What did he say?
ACT by Susan Hines-Brigger • In the spirit of this week's Gospel message, play a game of Go Fish with your family or friends. • Cut out some fish from construction paper and attach a magnet to the back. Make a fishing rod out of a stick and yarn. Attach a large paper clip to the end of the yarn and then try to catch as many of the fish as possible.