The word of God is presented in both the Old and New Testaments as a source of light. The psalmist puts it aptly: “Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path “(Psalm 119:105). In the New Testament, Jesus is identified as both word and light, and his gospel is interpreted as the unique bringer of light to a world in darkness. The coming of the gospel of Christ is good news to all who live in any form of darkness.
The readings of this third Sunday of the year invite us to contemplate the great mission of light which the word of God brings. The theme is well-suited to the third Sunday of the liturgical year, which is universally marked as the Sunday of the Word of God. This was instituted by Pope Francis in his Apostolic Letter, Motu Proprio, Aperuit Illis, promulgated on 30th September, 2019. Christians are called upon to give greater attention to the word of God, as most life problems get resolved through the agency of the divine word.
The Gospel as a Mission of Light
In the Gospel text of today from Matthew (4:12-23), the evangelist presents the beginning of the public ministry of Jesus and the call of his first four disciples. The most significant aspect of the report is the choice of Jesus to relocate to the region of Galilee after the arrest of John the Baptist. Why Galilee? Matthew presents the choice of Galilee as a fulfillment of this prophecy of Isaiah: “Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles–the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned” (Matt 4:15-16). In this way, Matthew interprets the ministry in Galilee as a mission to a people who live in darkness.
This quotation is taken from Isa 8:23-9:3, which, incidentally, is the first reading of today. In this oracle, Isaiah singles out the inhabitants of Zebulon and Naphtali as those living in darkness. The two regions were in the northernmost part of Israel, bordering Lebanon in the north and the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River in the east. They were the first Israelite territories to be sacked and inhabited by the Assyrians. Consequently, they were gradually infiltrated by gentiles and suffered all forms of degradation. They are, thus, called the Galilee of the Gentiles.
From Gloom to Gloriousness
In the future, God will make glorious all these forgotten lands, especially those who live on the Via Maris (the way of the sea), the territory beyond the Jordan, called the Galilee of the Gentiles. All these territories experienced gloom and darkness in the past. But now they are going to experience the glorious presence of God. This is what Isaiah means when he says: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness– on them, a light has shone” (Isa 9:2).
Following Jesus as a Walk in the Light
The entry of Jesus into Galilee is best understood as the entry of God’s word into a region of darkness. Indeed, those who sat in darkness can now walk in the light. Following Jesus implies moving from the region of darkness to the region of light. Incidentally, that region of light is Jesus himself. Following him means entering the kingdom, and the basic condition is repentance. This means turning away from the dark ways of living to a new way of living. Thus, repentance means walking in the light. The call to repent is a recall to abandon old ways. Begin to see things in a new light.
Unity among Christians as a Sign of Walking in the Light
The Christian mission is a mission of bringing light to the world. That light is expressed mostly in love and unity. Incidentally, this Sunday also marks the end of the week of prayer for Christian unity. In this week of prayer, the apostolate of Paul looms large. Paul himself was told at his conversion that he would become a bringer of the light of Christ to the Gentiles. This means using the gospel message to challenge the old ways of life among the nations.
In the second reading of today from 1 Cor 1:10-12,17, Paul condemns the divisiveness that characterized the lives of the members of the Christian Community at Corinth. He sees this as a grievous negation of the wisdom of the Cross of Christ. It is a regress into the regions of darkness. Instead of focusing their lives on Christ, the community members were given to idolizing the preacher of the gospel and tearing themselves apart on who was the greatest. While some chose Paul, some chose Apollos, while some others chose Peter (Cephas). Even some chose Christ, as if Christ was just one of the contenders for greatness. This was a gross violation of the unity preached by Paul. It means that the people were not really converted. They still remained in their old ways of thinking and behaving.
New Light
Even in our own communities today, divisions often arise when we begin to focus on persons and ideologies. Or, when we relegate the gospel of Christ to the background. Most of the divisions and conflicts that lacerate our Christian communities are based on followership of persons, ideologies and human sentiments rather than followership of Christ and the new light he brings. May the new light of Christ’s gospel continue to illumine our ways for a truly happy and peaceful society!
[Readings: Isa 8:23-9:3; Ps 27:1,4,13-14; 1Cor 1:10-13,17; Mt 4:12-23]
I appreciate the application of the scriptures for this week. I am watching how in America, Christians follow personalities and beliefs that are in my experience, not from Jesus’ teaching. We follow presidents and leaders of society who harm, hurt people and take away food and health care. Instead, and seek power and riches versus using the once most powerful Christians follow different ideologies and misinterpret Jesus’ words to love one another as I have loved you. Unity begins when we put in practices Jesus’ call to love one-another. I pray daily that God send’s His angels and saints to help us stop buying into injustices against so many and that we who take on the title of Christians can learn to love one-another even when there are racial, color, ethnic, where we come from, religious and monetary/wealth level and political differences. Thank you again for pointing out that the Corinth community struggled with and acted in ways that are not Christ-like. Thank you for reminding me that repentance is the first step to truly love and be more converted to be like and love as Jesus does.