In our readings today we still see reflected the Christmas / Epiphany idea of "light." After all, that Jesus came to be the true and only Light of the World must be the launching point about everything we say about his activity as teacher, preacher and healer.
Isaiah prophesied in the first reading that the District of the Gentiles, west of the Jordan – the land of Zebulun and Naphtali – whose people had walked in a great intellectual as well as spiritual darkness will see a Great Light – a light that will bring them abundant joy and great rejoicing – the yoke of ignorance and darkness will be smashed! Jesus is the one who will be the Light, and who will smash the ignorance and the darkness – forever!
And so, after his birth, hidden life and baptism, Jesus begins his public life as the "Light of the World" – and to fulfill the prophesy he chooses Capernaum for his home base – Capernaum by the sea – Capernaum in the District of the Gentiles – Capernaum in the land of Zebulun and Naphtali. And then he begins to do what he came to do: to preach "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand," which is really to say: "Come and be with me, and follow me, and listen to me, and believe in me – for my Kingdom and the Kingdom of my Father are here – they are found in ME!
For most of Jesus' public life, the people were divided about him. As he slowly began to reveal himself and his Father in heaven – some, through a loving act of faith came to believe and to enter into a special relationship with him; most however did not understand, nor did they even try to exercise any amount of faith in his regard. Jesus was very concerned about these people – and later – before his death – he would sit on a hillside and weep over the city who just did not "get it" – just did not "get the Love which he offered from his Father" "get the Love he offered from himself."
But what is even more disturbing is that after the resurrection, after the coming of the Spirit, after the Church was born, after the early communities were forming – many of the members of the Church still did not "get it." They were claiming Paul and Apollos and Cephas as the focus of their belief and loyalty. Paul was very disturbed about this! He says: "Is Christ divided?" "Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?" Our sole focus and point of reference must always be Christ Crucified from who flows the entire life of our faith!
And so, before choosing Paul to bring the entire gospel package to the Gentiles, at the very beginning he chooses four fishermen named: Peter, Andrew, James and John. And from these four unlikely characters he begins to build the future of the human race – until the Day when it is transformed!
Not only would Jesus teach and preach and heal – but so would they! They would go to the ends of the earth! And for as long as there are men and women on this planet, the spiritual descendants of these Apostles and their helpers would be there to ensure that Christ is present until the end of time!
THE LORD IS OUR LIGHT AND OUR SALVATION!
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