Word to the Wise

Monday, January 5, 2026 - Monday after Epiphany, or Jan. 7

[1 John 3:22-4:6 and Matt 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." [Matthew]

MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 2026 ST. JOHN NEUMANN, CSSR.
     From Besthlehem, Magi, star and flight into Egypt and a return to Nazareth, the Gospel According to Matthew catapults us some thirty years later to an adult Jesus living in Nazareth, presumably a disciple of John the Baptist!  John's arrest seems to have been the cue to make a public debut for Jesus' ministry!  He leaves the carpenter shop and sets up his ministry "shop" on the shores of the Sea of Galilee (Lake of Tiberias) in an area of mixed Jewish and Gentile people.  Matthew makes it clear to his Jewish readers that this is all done in fulfillment of prophecy by quoting Isaiah!
     Jesus' message resembles that of John with one big exception.  Jesus IS the Kingdom of heaven in person.  John the Baptist was the "advance man!"   But this is not just New Testament history.  St. Paul. in 2 Cor. 5:18-21 tells us that WE have been given, by virtue of our baptism, the task of preaching the message of Jesus and personifying that message in our daily lives!  The media guru, Marshall McLuhan, was famous for his line: "The medium is the message!"  Our lifestyle and actions preach before we open our mouths to preach!  The Christmas/Epiphany season is one of "revelation!"  What are we revealing about Jesus and the Kingdom of heaven?  AMEN

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