Memorial of St. John Neumann, Bishop
Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25
When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: Land of Zebulun 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.” He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people. His fame spread to all of Syria, and they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases and racked with pain, those who were possessed, lunatics, and paralytics, and he cured them. And great crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed him.
Opening Prayer: Lord, in this Christmas season it’s good for me to remember that you were very busy doing your Father’s will. Help me to put aside my to-dos for these few moments and quiet myself so as to encounter you as you teach and preach.
Encountering Christ:
- A Geography Lesson?: We are introduced in this Gospel to the names of many foreign towns and regions, but not as a geography lesson from on high. Instead, we learn that Jesus, who was born in Bethlehem, grew up in Nazareth, and withdrew to Galilee after John’s death was fulfilling a seven-hundred-year-old prophecy. Matthew is helping us to realize that Our Lord’s birth, ministry, Passion, Death, and Resurrection had been orchestrated with divine intentionality and that this “carpenter’s son” (cf. Mt 13:55) is actually the Son of God. Many people of different origins followed him then, and follow him today as well. We are a very large and diverse church. How Christlike am I to others who don’t look, act, or talk like I do?
- Repent!: In these first days of his ministry, Jesus (always intent on doing the Father’s will) could have spoken to the people about many things—angels, resurrection, heaven—but his message to the Galileans was “Repent.” If he were to appear to us bodily in this moment of prayer, he would most likely also encourage us to repent. He invites us to examine our life each day in terms of love. Where have I loved? Where have I not? By loving, I bring the Kingdom of God to this world.
- Modern Cures: If Jesus came to my town today, I would, with the full force of my being, drag my friends and family to be cured. Imagine! All those sick with pornography, alcohol, vaping, internet addiction, cancer, anxiety, and depression would be made whole by Jesus’ touch. In reality, the same healing power is available in my neighborhood today through priests and Catholic healers, and further away at places like Lourdes and Fatima. And I also have the option to intercede for them before the Blessed Sacrament or, if at all possible, to bring them to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Thankfully, Our Lord’s healing ministry continues in today’s world for those who avail themselves of it.
Conversing with Christ: Lord, thank you for being so personal as to accompany me in these moments of prayer, and for being so universal so as to draw all kinds of believers to the faith. As Saint Paul says, you “gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God…” (Eph 4:11-13). Thank you for the diversity of our gifts. Bless us all, especially those I love who most need your healing.
Resolution: Because I participate in your healing power, Lord, today by your grace I will spend a moment before the Blessed Sacrament or make a little sacrifice today for the healing of someone in particular.
For Further Reflection: Read about this modern miracle attributed to Fulton Sheen.
Maribeth Harper celebrated paying the last tuition bill for her kids’ college by writing a book for parents who have college-aged young adults: A Spiritual Toolbox: Tips for Parenting through the First Year of College. She is a wife of thirty-five years, mother of four, and grandmother of twelve and counting.
