The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to seek the guidance of the Spirit to rise above the differences we have with others to unite as fishers of people.
The reading from the Prophet Isaiah describes the Righteous Reign of the coming King.
* [9:3] Day of Midian: when God used the judge Gideon to deliver these northern territories from Midianite oppression (Jgs 6–7). (Isaiah, CHAPTER 9, n.d.)
Psalm 27 is a triumphant Song of Confidence.
* [Psalm 27] Tradition has handed down the two sections of the Psalm (Ps 27:1–6; 7–14) as one Psalm, though each part could be understood as complete in itself. Asserting boundless hope that God will bring rescue (Ps 27:1–3), the psalmist longs for the presence of God in the Temple, protection from all enemies (Ps 27:4–6). In part B there is a clear shift in tone (Ps 27:7–12); the climax of the poem comes with “I believe” (Ps 27:13), echoing “I trust” (Ps 27:3). (Psalms, PSALM 27, n.d.)
The reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians identifies divisions in the Church and declares Christ as the Power and Wisdom of God.
* [1:13–17] The reference to baptism and the contrast with preaching the gospel in v. 17a suggest that some Corinthians were paying special allegiance to the individuals who initiated them into the community.
* [1:17b–18] The basic theme of 1 Cor 1–4 is announced. Adherence to individual leaders has something to do with differences in rhetorical ability and also with certain presuppositions regarding wisdom, eloquence, and effectiveness (power), which Paul judges to be in conflict with the gospel and the cross. (1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 1, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus begins His Ministry in Galilee and ministers to crowds of people.
* [4:12–17] Isaiah’s prophecy of the light rising upon Zebulun and Naphtali (Is 8:22–9:1) is fulfilled in Jesus’ residence at Capernaum. The territory of these two tribes was the first to be devastated (733–32 B.C.) at the time of the Assyrian invasion. In order to accommodate Jesus’ move to Capernaum to the prophecy, Matthew speaks of that town as being “in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali” (Mt 4:13), whereas it was only in the territory of the latter, and he understands the sea of the prophecy, the Mediterranean, as the sea of Galilee.
* [4:17] At the beginning of his preaching Jesus takes up the words of John the Baptist (Mt 3:2) although with a different meaning; in his ministry the kingdom of heaven has already begun to be present (Mt 12:28).
* [4:18–22] The call of the first disciples promises them a share in Jesus’ work and entails abandonment of family and former way of life. Three of the four, Simon, James, and John, are distinguished among the disciples by a closer relation with Jesus (Mt 17:1; 26:37). (Matthew, CHAPTER 4, n.d.)
Jay Carney reflects on his experience with base communities in the Congo to ask what should it mean to follow Jesus?
The scandals, in-fighting, and polarization in first-century Corinth could match anything we see in today’s news headlines! In this light, St. Paul’s exhortation today speaks through the ages, for division and rivalry are never markers of the Spirit. Likewise, we Catholics should not “belong to Pope Benedict” or “belong to Pope Francis,” for we ultimately belong to Christ. May our church communities strive to exemplify the unity in diversity that Paul labored so mightily to bring about in Corinth.
I write this reflection from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where I have been conducting research on the small Christian communities that make up the foundation of Congo’s parishes. Congo is a very poor country, and its recent history has been marked by an appalling war in the east, venal politicians, and international economic exploitation. And yet what has struck me here during Christmas season is the “abundant joy” that Catholics demonstrate in the Zaire Rite liturgy, the passion lay leaders bring to guiding their base communities, and the hope they offer that, as Isaiah prophesies, God’s light will break through the darkness. (Carney, 2022)
Don Schwager quotes “The true light of revelation to the Gentiles,” by Chromatius (died 406 AD).
"The Evangelist commemorated in this passage the prophet's words: 'Beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles: the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light' (Matthew 4:15-16) In what darkness? Certainly in the profound error of ignorance. What great light did they see? The light concerning which it is written: 'He was the true light that illumines everyone who comes into this world' (John 1:9) This was the light about which the just man Simeon in the Gospel declared, 'A light of revelation to the Gentiles and a glory for your people Israel' (Luke 2:32). That light had arisen according to what David had announced, saying, 'A light has arisen in the darkness to the upright of heart' (Psalm 112:4).
"Also, Isaiah demonstrated that light about to come for the enlightenment of the church when he said, 'Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you' (Isaiah 60:1). Concerning that light also Daniel noted, 'It reveals the profound and hidden things, knowing those things which are in darkness and the light is with it' (Daniel 2:22), that is, the Son with the Father, for even as the Father is light, so too is the Son light. And David also speaks in the psalm: 'In your light shall we see light' (Psalm 36:9), for the Father is seen in the Son, as the Lord tells us in the Gospel: 'Who sees me, sees the Father' (John 14:9) From the true light, indeed, the true light proceeded, and from the invisible the visible. "He is the image of the invisible God," as the apostle notes (Colossians 1:15)." (excerpt from TRACTATE ON MATTHEW 15.1) [Note: Chromatius was an early Christian scholar and bishop of Aquileia, Italy. He was a close friend of John Chrysostom and Jerome. He died in 406 AD. Jerome described him as a "most learned and most holy man."] (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 4:12-23 comments that today is Sunday of the Word of God, a day when we celebrate the power and the grace contained in God’s word in Scripture. This is the word that the disciples heard day in and day out, and it can change us just as it changed them. It can comfort us, convict us, and lift our hearts to heaven. It can bring us to our knees in humble repentance, and it can lift us to our feet in joyful worship.
Do you want to experience God’s word coming to life in you? Then imitate the apostles. Spend time with Jesus and immerse yourself in his word. Ask him questions about what you read there, and listen prayerfully for his answers. It takes time, patience, and perseverance, but the reward is well worth the effort. Like the apostles, you’ll come to know Jesus personally as the One whose love lasts forever and whose mercy never ends!
“Come, Lord, and speak your words of life to me today!” (Meditation on Matthew 4:12-23, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler explores the history of the lands near the Sea of Galilee and the diverse population that led to considering it to be a sinful place. The different factions in the port city of Corinth expressed a spiritual superiority based on asserting a special relationship with the spiritual world. Friar Jude reminds us of the call of Christ to use our diverse talents to bring unity and build up the Kingdom.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Albert Nolan (1934–2022) who was a South African theologian and anti-apartheid activist inspired by Jesus’ prophetic identity. Nolan views Jesus as ultimately calling all of us to be prophets.
What interests us here is the powerfully simple way in which prophecy and mysticism form an inseparable whole in the life and spirituality of Jesus.… Traditionally … prophets were mystics and mystics were prophets. Any idea that one could be a prophet calling for justice and social change without some experience of union with God was unthinkable. Equally unthinkable was any idea that one could be a perfectly good mystic without becoming critically outspoken about the injustices of one’s time.
Anyone who wishes to take Jesus seriously would have to be prepared to become a prophet and a mystic. In the history of Israel before Jesus, prophets were rare individuals. Jesus’ aim was to open up the spirit of prophecy to everyone.… Then too we can all become courageous enough to speak out like prophets. (Rohr, n.d.)
We have talents and passions that Christ seeks to transform to bring love, mercy, and compassion to our community.
References
Carney, J. (2022, January 22). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved January 22, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/012223.html
Isaiah, CHAPTER 9. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved January 22, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/9
Matthew, CHAPTER 4. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved January 22, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/4?12
Meditation on Matthew 4:12-23. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved January 22, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/01/22/589693/
1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 1. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved January 22, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/1?10
Psalms, PSALM 27. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved January 22, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/27?1
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Jesus as Prophet. Daily Meditations Archive: 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/jesus-as-prophet-2023-01-22/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 22, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=jan22
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