MONDAY AFTER EPIPHANY JANUARY 6, 2020
A reading from the holy Gospel according to 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 out to proclaimGalilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed him.
REFLECTION: "He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea"
As soon as John the Baptist could no longer preach, Jesus left His hidden years and went to live in Capernaum by the sea. He began to proclaim His message. Through His deeds and teachings Jesus fulfilled the words of the prophet Isaiah. The kingdom of God had come to us, the kingdom of heaven was at hand.
It is God who reigns in the world through His Son made man. It is the Holy Spirit that lives in us and brings life and heals men of body and spirit. Jesus reveals the true face of God. In our PAPA Prayer for Priests we ask the Almighty God to "look upon the face of Christ, and for the love of Him, who is the eternal High Priest, have mercy on your priests".
The Prayer for Priest is PAPA's soul, heart, foundation and life. The PAPA spirituality is based on this prayer. We are to be warriors for the priesthood, praying for them. We are to spread the good news of love, hope and joy. We are to leave the comfort of our home and put all our trust in the Holy Spirit. The rest will be our eternal reward.
God Bless You
