Memorial of St. John Neumann, Bishop, January 5, 2026

Gospel

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.

Reflection

This Gospel marks a powerful turning point in Jesus's ministry. After receiving news of John the Baptist's arrest He does not lash out in anger or retreat in fear, but begins His mission in earnest. He goes to places that are often ignored or looked down upon, where people are hurting and forgotten. There, He teaches, proclaims God’s word, and performs miracles, bringing light to those living in darkness. The Kingdom of heaven becomes not just something He talks about, but something people can see and experience through His compassion and power.

Many people flock to Jesus because news of His miracles spreads like wildfire. Naturally, they are curious. They want to see for themselves if what they’ve heard is true. Can He really heal the sick? Give sight to the blind? Raise the dead? But even if only curiosity brings them to Him, Jesus meets them with mercy and hope. It makes me think about why or when we turn to Jesus today. Do we only turn to Him when we need something, or are we willing to listen, change, and follow Him? Jesus still brings light into dark places today, and He still calls us to follow Him more closely. The question remains whether we will merely follow the crowd, or allow His light to truly change us.