6-Jan-20

Gospel MT 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:
When Jesus heard that John had been arrested,
he withdrew to Galilee.
From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say,
"Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand."

Jesus did not limit His ministry to spreading John's message of repentance; He used the power given to Him by the Father to heal people.

".....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."

As followers of Jesus, we are called to continue spreading His message of God's love and forgiveness. Our words of comfort and acts of kindness bear witness to God's healing presence among us.

God has given you power to heal.

Every time you listen to someone who is overwhelmed and stressed by the challenges of life...you become God's healing presence.

When you sit with a friend who is racked with guilt over some past act and assure them of God's love and forgiveness, you open the door for them to return to God's loving embrace.

When you give to the hungry or hand your extra coat or hat or gloves to a street person your actions are those of our loving Father caring for His child.

Your words and deeds bear witness to God's love on earth.

“Authentic joy will fill your heart when you reveal to others God’s presence in their lives through your words and actions.” - Unknown