Matthew 4:12-23

Jesus Begins His Ministry in Galilee

 

Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the lake, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

‘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.’
From that time Jesus began to proclaim, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’

 

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

 

As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the lake—for they were fishermen. And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.’ Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

Jesus Ministers to Crowds of People

 

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.

Quote of the Week

“Those who write of the impact of Jesus upon them are saying: ‘Look! Listen! A child is born and a man dies, and in the story of that birth and that life, in images of water and bread, in damaged lives healed and in people forgiven and set free, and on a wooden cross and in an upper room a new way of living becomes possible, a new creation is set in being, and a whole new understanding of God is revealed.’” 

From This Sunrise of Wonder by Michael Mayne, available in the Parish Library.