History says that the enemies of  Israel that wanted to attack Jerusalem  would march through Zebulun and Naphtali. These enemies  would oppress these two towns. Townsfolk probably asked, “Why us? They’re after Jerusalem, and we’re just caught in the crossfire. Why is life unfair?” Perhaps, you’ve asked this same age-old question because we have our own Zebulun and Naphtali too. We’ve experienced an army of uninvited problems. We’ve sat in  darkness.

But Jesus did two things in these two towns: He lived there  (in Nazareth) and worked there (in Capernaum). Both are in  Galilee, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali. By living and working there, Jesus redeemed those places. His life became a  light to a people in the darkness. Friend, are you going through  darkness? Are you in your Zebulun and Naphtali? The Light  shines on you. Jesus lives with you, shares your pain, and weeps with you. And He will work in your midst to perform miracles in your life. Mike Viñas (mikemichaelfcv@yahoo.com)

reflect

What areas of your life do you feel attacked? What are the unfair injustices you’re going through right now? Surrender them to the Lord. Let Him defend you and deliver you.

Lord Jesus, let your light and love dispel the darkness in my life. Redeem me from the invasion of sin and the oppression of problems.

Blessed André Bessette, religious, pray for us.

When we choose to follow Jesus as one of His disciples, we overcome the false prophets and influences in our lives. In other words, the process of conversion has taken root in us. We need to affirm this process daily, as we are tempted to give up the call or even just to sin. It is critical that we persevere in the work we have begun in order to grow in holiness and our service to the Kingdom of God.

²² Beloved: We receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. ²³ And his commandment is this: we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another just as he commanded us. ²⁴ Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them, and the way we know that he remains in us is from the Spirit that he gave us. ^4:1 Beloved, do not trust every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they belong to God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. ² This is how you can know the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh belongs to God, ³ and every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus does not belong to God. This is the spirit of the antichrist who, as you heard, is to come, but in fact is already in the world. ⁴ You belong to God, children, and you have conquered them, for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. ⁵ They belong to the world; accordingly, their teaching belongs to the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We belong to God, and anyone who knows God listens to us, while anyone who does not belong to God refuses to hear us. This is how we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of deceit.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 2:7-8,10-11

R: I will give you all the nations for an inheritance.

⁷ The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; this day I have begotten you. ⁸ Ask of me and I will give you the nations for an inheritance and the ends of the earth for your possession.” (R) ¹⁰ And now, O kings, give heed; take warning, you rulers of the earth. ¹¹ Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice before him; with trembling rejoice. (R)

Gospel of Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25

The arrest of John signaled the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. God has a plan for each of us to fulfill. If we fail to do so, have you ever wondered what work for God’s Kingdom will remain undone and what the consequences will be? It may be scary, but it is the truth. We have the responsibility to fulfill God’s will for us. Let us pray for the grace to know His will and obey it.

Gospel Acclamation

Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the Kingdom and cured every disease among the people.

¹² When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. ¹³ He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of  Zebulun and Naphtali, ¹⁴ that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: ¹⁵ Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, ¹⁶ the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen. ¹⁷ From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” ²³ 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. ²⁴ 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. ²⁵ And great crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed him.

Reflect:

“We can only learn to know ourselves and do what we can—namely,surrender our will and fulfill God’s will in us.” (St. Teresa of Avila)

Read the Bible in year!Read LUKE 21 - 24 today.

During the thick of Christmas, people are often eager to spread the cheer and spirit of the season. And we decry those who don’t get into the holiday mood. “Don’t be a killjoy!” we say to any would-be grinch who could spoil the season for others. 

In the same way, every Christian is called to eagerly pass on the Christian faith to others. This is part of being Church, which is essential to being a Christian. This is so essential that it is the first order of business for Jesus as He begins His ministry. He leaves His hometown and goes far and wide to announce repentance and the fulfillment of God’s Kingdom. 

Faith, however, is not just passed on. To transfer the Good News means to be transformed by it. Any hope of handing on the faith to others rests squarely on how much the giver’s life is changed by the Gospel. For what is being passed on is not mere knowledge or rite; it is a living relationship with God that changes how we live.

Think of parents hoping to raise good Catholic children. Even if the kids receive the best catechesis, much of that is negated when they don’t see it authentically lived at home by their parents. As the saying goes, “More is caught than taught.” 

No wonder our First Reading reminds us of righteousness. One can only be righteous if one is living out God’s commandments, especially the commandment to love one another. Such genuine righteousness can only be a fruit of the Spirit received and surrendered to, through the Gospel—not merely spoken about or ritually practiced, but truly lived.

May we, as Church, be so committed to our mission to proclaim the Gospel to the ends of the earth. And may we begin not in others, but in ourselves. Fr. Albert Garong, SSP

reflection question

How can you ensure that your life reflects the righteousness and love of Christ? 

Lord, help me spread the faith through my transformed life. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ____________________________________________