Word to the Wise
Monday, January 5, 2015 - 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 witdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulon and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: "Land of Zebulon 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]
JANUARY 5 ST. JOHN NEUMANN, CSSR [MONDAY AFTER EPIPHANY]
Although the liturgical celebration of the feast of the Epiphany took place yesterday, the liturgical season of Christmas/Epiphany continues until the celebration of the Baptism of the Lord. The theme of "epiphany" continues, as the quote from Isaiah used by Matthew indicates. The timing is a bit awkward because Jesus moved to Capernaum AFTER his baptism by John the Baptist, but this kind of consistency is asking too much of a liturgical calendar! Matthew is concerned with showing that in every way Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises and prophecies. The liturgical calendar is concerned with epiphany ideas and the beginning of Jesus' ministry which will culminate with Holy Week and Easter. All of this is working together at the same time!
Suffice it to say that the arrest of John the Baptist seems to have triggered the onset of Jesus' public ministry. He leaves his home in Nazareth and establishes himself in a new place. The message is a simple one: "Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand." In the midst of themes and prophecies and interpretations, we don't want to lose that message. Our own baptism commissions us to repeat that message. We must preach it to ourselves and to others. The Christmas/Epiphany season will end, but the message goes on. "Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand." AMEN
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