Matthew 4:12–17,
23–25
Now
when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left
Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the lake, in the territory of
Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah
might be fulfilled:
“Land
of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,
on
the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles-
the
people who sat in darkness
have
seen a great light,
and
for those who sat in the region and shadow of death
light
has dawned.”
From
that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come
near.”
Jesus
went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good
news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the
people. So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought to him all
the sick, those who were afflicted with various diseases and pains, demoniacs,
epileptics, and paralytics, and he cured them. And great crowds followed him
from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.
Reflection
Do
I have the courage to venture into regions where pagan influences are palpable?
Does
some dark influence also tend at times to pull me down in spirit?