Gospel for January 27, 2008 - Matthew 4:12-23, The Beginning of Jesus Ministry

The Gospel presents the beginning of the ministry of Jesus. It started in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, and it is also in this location where Jesus called his first disciples.

As a background, all the four gospels mention that Jesus’ ministry started in Galilee, but it is ONLY Matthew that also mentions that Galilee is located within Zebulun and Naphtali. There must be a significance to this. Zebulun and Naphtali were two of the 12 sons of Jacob, and when the Jews entered Canaan, the land was parcelled among the sons, and Zebulun and Naphtali got the land where Galilee is located. The region of Zebulun and Naphtali were eventually overran by Assyrians and Greeks, and were therefore considered as “pagan” (or not purely Jewish) land because of the intermarriages between these foreigners and the Jews.

The Jews were known as the chosen people of God but it is ironic to know that they were also the ones to reject Jesus and His teachings. Matthew emphasizes that Jesus started His ministry in a land considered as “contaminated” or pagan. Matthew’s message is that Jesus gives priority to those who do not know God over those who are already close to God, as in the case of the Jews.

Today, we are reminded by this gospel to reach out to those who do not know God, those who are far away from Him and those who choose to be stubborn to let Him in their hearts. We are all called to evangelise like Christ. Like Jesus, we should start seeking for people outside of our apostolate, or those who are not yet familiar with Jesus.

Relate an experience when you had the chance to evangelise about God to those outside the apostolate who do not know Him or do not yet have a personal relationship with him. Was this a favourable or non-favourable experience? As you share this with the class, let this experience serve as a “push” for you to begin the ministry of evangelising to others.