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.” As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him. 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.

A good Sunday to all.

Last week we found Jesus in Bethabara where the Baptist indicated him as ‘the Lamb of God.’ On the map, you can see where Bethabara was, the northern end of the Dead Sea, where the Jordan River flows. Bethabara is the place where John baptized and where Jesus went to be baptized.

We said last Sunday that the Baptist indicated Jesus as the ‘lamb’; and he has indicated it to us wanting saying: ‘if you want to use your life well you must follow him.’ Some thought that the Baptist was the Messiah, but he clarified: It is not me who they should follow; you must follow this Lamb. He will introduce you into a new kingdom; not the old one, that of the beasts. He will introduce you to the kingdom of those who donate their lives.

And this message is presented at the beginning of the year, where we are invited — guided by the evangelist Matthew—to follow this Lamb. We will see in the life he leads, the message he announces and embodies that it is a message of love, of donation of life, well represented in the figure of the ‘lamb’.

It will be the invitation to know how one can become a ‘lamb’ and how one enters this world, in this kingdom of God.

Today’s Gospel text tells us that when Jesus knew that the Baptist had been arrested he retired to Galilee. He was in Judea and now he returns to Nazareth, but he doesn’t stay in Nazareth. You can see on the map where Nazareth is located, next to Lower Galilee. And what does Jesus do? He does not stay in Nazareth, he greets his mother and goes to Capernaum, which is next to the Lake of Galilee or the Lake of Tiberias… this lake has many names. Jesus was 34 years old when he changed residence.

The evangelist says he went to Capernaum and, practically, it gives us his address: “by the lake, in the territory of Zebulon and Naphtali.” From the archaeological point of view we know with certainty where was the house where Jesus lived during the three years of his public life. Jesus’ public life was spent virtually next to the shore of this lake. Jesus stayed in Peter’s house. He was hosted by Peter and Andrew.

And indeed, the house where Jesus lived during his public life is next to the lake, the last house in the neighborhood of the city of Capernaum. I will introduce some of these places because when we hear the gospel of Matthew he will make many references to these places. First of all, you can see Capernaum which is the most important city in Jesus’ public life,because he lived there.

Then, above Capernaum is the Mount of Beatitudes. And the city of Bethsaida at the north end of Lake Tiberias. Five apostles come from this city and four of them will be found in today’s Gospel text. Peter and Andrew had changed residence, they no longer lived in the city where they came from, that it was Bethsaida; they had moved to Capernaum and there they lived with their families.

They had probably bought their house because they weren’t as poor as we often imagined. They had a boat and were middle class people in that society, as we would say today. You can also see another city: Chorazin, which is spoken of in the gospels: “Woe to you, Chorazin…!” (Mt 11:21) because Jesus has frequented all the synagogues of Galilee,announcing the new light, the Gospel. I will present now the city of Capernaum; the place where it was located. It was a village of fishermen and farmers.

It was 300 meters long, along the lake and about 200 meters inland. It is very simple to define the area of this city because from there the graves begin, the cemetery; these were impure places, therefore, there were no houses there. Then, the city of Capernaum is very well defined and you can easily guess the number of inhabitants: about a thousand. Being next to the Lake of Galilee, Capernaum was not the most important city. More important was Magdala, famous for its flourishing fish salting and textile industry. And even more important was Tiberias, the new capital that Herod Antipas had built beside the lake. Previously, the capital was Sepphoris.

The evangelist says that Jesus went to live in Capernaum. This city was also important because the famous ‘sea road’ passed through Capernaum, which began in Egypt and ended in Mesopotamia. And, precisely, in Capernaum there was the border between Galilee and the Golan. It was the border, and the Golan belonged to another one of the sons of Herod, Philip.

And at the border taxes were paid. And we know well the name of one who collected taxes there, Matthew (Levi).

Now we can ask ourselves: Why did Jesus change residence and did not remain in Nazareth? Life in Nazareth would have been more comfortable because he lived there before and that was where Mary, his mother lived. But Jesus leaves Nazareth and goes to Capernaum. It seems to me that if he had stayed in Nazareth he would not have had any results with his preaching. The inhabitants of the village of Nazareth were very closed minded. They would not have accepted the change of religious perspective that Jesus presented, the novelty of Jesus, the new face of God.

The face of God, preached by the rabbis in the synagogues, was that of the Pharisees, therefore, the legislating, justifying God, the God who preferred the people of Israel and rejects all others, the God who condemns sinners, who does not want to know anything with those who have erred in life… a severe God. And, naturally, a great, powerful, dominating God, who makes himself be served. Jesus has not come to modify this conception of God, but to turn it around. God is not the one who dominates, but the one who serves.

In Nazareth they would not have accepted this kind of proposal. Likewise, with the image of ‘new man’ that Jesus will present. He will say that his followers must be lambs, while the mentality of the world is that the ideal person is a dominator, the strong one, the one who prevails. It seems to me that Jesus has changed residence precisely for this reason. In Capernaum people had a more open mind because there was contact between many cultures, even with pagans. It was a semi-pagan place. Then, there was a more open mind- set. This is my guess, but I think it is well founded.

The evangelist Matthew gives another explanation to justify the change of residence of Jesus. Matthew sees in this option that Jesus does the fulfillment of a prophecy that refers to Galilee. And I add that the evangelist Matthew must have been an excellent biblical scholar because it is very difficult to find a prophecy that makes reference to Galilee and there is only one throughout the Old Testament. And the prophecy is found in the book of Isaiah and says: “Territory of Zebulun and territory of Naphtali, way of the sea, on the other side of the Jordan, Galilee of the gentiles.”

And, in fact, if we look at this region of Lake Galilee, it looks like a nest between the mountains. Therefore, this ‘amphitheater’, this circuit gives the name to the place (Hebrew: HaGalil). The image that we will soon see will be the darkness of this region in the , ַהגָּלִיל middle of mountains that will be illuminated by a great light. What does this prophecy say? This prophecy referred to a dramatic situation in this Galilee at the time of Tiglath-pileser the Third, the king of Assyria who had invaded the region of Galilee. Therefore, destruction, violence, cruelty. The comparison was that of the night that had fallen on this earth. Therefore, darkness and more darkness… people were discouraged… ‘life is over…’.

The prophet gives an announcement of hope. He says: “The people who lived in darkness saw an intense light, those who lived in the shadows of death were dawned by the light.” For this land occupied by the Assyrians, Isaiah announced liberation. He was referring to the birth of a king, from the dynasty of David, that would liberate these provinces occupied by the Assyrians.

The evangelist reread this darkness, as darkness that covers the world and that is torn and dissolved by the light that comes from heaven; the light that Jesus of Nazareth brings to the world. This region located outside the Holy Land, this Galilee of the gentiles is the place where Jesus begins his mission.

It is as if a light is really on, which will then end up shining the entire world. The reference to Psalm 19 that speaks of the sun, God who puts his room there, seems immediate to me, like the husband in the bridal house. In the background I placed a picture taken precisely over the Lake of Galilee at sunrise. It is precisely the image that the evangelist uses which refers to Isaiah’s prophecy: a light that appears and illuminates this nest that is the amphitheater from Lake Tiberias. But it is the image of the light of heaven that clarifies the whole world. “It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heaven and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth” (Ps 19:5-7).

It is a very beautiful comparison for it presents to this sun, this light from heaven that fights against darkness. It’s a comparison that we also use today: the light of the gospel that clarifies the darkness of the world. We can ask ourselves: In the end, who will succeed? Is this light coming from heaven or will it be darkness? From the beginning of his gospel, Matthew opens our hearts to hope because he tells us that the prophecy is being fulfilled. The one that will win will be the light.

In fact, the psalm to which I previously alluded, presents this sunlight as a brave warrior who walks the road; he enters with all his power, with all his strength and makes the darkness of the world disappear. It is a message of hope for all of us because I believe that many times we remain in this darkness and we think that darkness will triumph over the light of the gospel, the light that Christ came to bring us. Perhaps we ask ourselves, like that Hebrew who in the name of all the people went to the prophet Isaiah and asked him: “Watchman … how much is left of the night?” (Is 21:11).

It is the question we also ask ourselves: Finally, when the light of the gospel will clarify the darkness, the darkness of corruption, the darkness of injustice, the darkness of pain, of lies, of abuse. Today we are also waiting for this light to make the darkness disappear. The darkness of the world. But keep in mind that this light also shines through us. We have been illuminated by this light and we may be able to dissolve all the darkness of the world. Jesus will say: “I am the light of the world.” “Since then Jesus began to proclaim: Repent that the kingdom of heaven is near!”

Repent! It does not mean changing just anything in life. To ‘convert’ means that we must leave the ancient kingdom, the mundane kingdom, and accept his proposal for a brand-new kingdom. When we talk about the worldly kingdom, we understand the kingdom in which people have a certain hierarchy of values. What is placed up and what is put down in the mundane kingdom? That mundane kingdom we want to get away from.

To convert means to leave this kingdom. We know very well the hierarchy of values in the worldly kingdom. What is on top of everything? That can be money, success, power, eros… this is the scale of values…. Then, naturally, family, friends… and then, in the end, perhaps religion, God, the gospel. Even some believers have this hierarchy of values. Convinced that they are in the new kingdom, actually, if they still move in this hierarchy of values, they still move fully in the ancient world.

Obviously, we are facing people who, if they observe this hierarchy of values, must put first as important the things that belong—according to those that belong to the world— What happens to people when they accept the kingdom of God? The hierarchy of values is the opposite of that of the world. On top of everything is God, and the greatness of this world, don’t count for anything. And other greatness that was forgotten now are the relevant ones. The scale of values is turned upside down.

In the world, the important one is the one who is rich, powerful, strong. And in the new world, in the kingdom of God, great is he who places in the last position, willing to serve, and not to use others. Therefore, we must change our mindset, a new way of thinking. If people are still tied to the world before, they will miss the real life. And that’s why Jesus’ call to this conversion.

“As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, who were throwing a net into the lake, because they were fishermen.” I want to call attention to a detail. The original Greek text, talking about the net they were using uses the term ἀμφίβληστρον = ‘anfebestron’ or the mesh, as you can see in thebackground.

It is the net that is launched and then closed at the bottom. It is the poorest, the most laborious one. They were using the mesh, therefore, near the shore. What does Jesus say to these disciples? “Come after me.” The comparison with the vocation of Abraham is interesting.

It is important to keep in mind that the evangelist Matthew is not talking about the vocation of the priests or of the nuns. NO. This is about the vocation to follow Jesus, to be a disciple. Then there will be many ways to be disciples, but here there is no talk of hierarchy. It is for those who accepts the proposal to enter the new world, in the new kingdom. Jesussays: “Come after me.” Abraham was given an imperative: “Go….” Here it is said: ‘Come after me’ – ‘Follow me’. It is different. Abraham had to get on his way and he didn’t even know what his destiny was. It would be revealed to him moment by moment where he should go.

Here the imperative is different. It’s not “Go” but “follow me.” Therefore, Jesus insists on being the first to reach the new ‘man.’ It is a great effort that he does… he cannot go back because he who follows him should see in him the ‘successful’ person. Jesus assumes a great responsibility. He must be the first to live for love. To live that life proposal that he makes. And what does he promise? Nothing. He does not say that he will make them rich, powerful… NO. And he doesn’t tell them that he will take them to paradise later… that they will have some special privileges. NO.

He only gives them one mission: “I will make them fishers of men.” And ‘to catch people’ means getting these people out of their inhuman conditions. To take them out of the old world, to introduce them into the new world. This is the mission entrusted to the disciples.

“At once they left their nets and followed him.” At once: when one decides, one has to be fast! Then one can rethink, doubts and questions will appear and one can ask: Did I make the best choice by leaving the ancient world and entering the world that Jesus proposes me? It is a very big challenge. Did I have made the good choice or will I have to repent later and continue enjoying life as everyone in the old world does? Leave the nets or remain it in the ancient world? What do those who accept the call of Christ do? Do they accept his proposal to live as a new person? Peter and Andrew were fishermen. Do they leave their profession?

When one hears the call of Christ to enter the new world, should they leave their profession? NO. They will continue with their profession, they will continue with their work, but the way they will do it, the objective for which they will work will be different. Let’s try to put some simple examples to understand what happens when one leaves the ancient world, the scale of values of the ancient world, and accepts the new world proposal that Jesus makes. The profession of before continues, but in a completely different way.

Let me explain: previously a man carried out his profession in a good way, of course—we don’t want to doubt his honesty, loyalty, he was professionally perfect. He did it to his life well, to be happy with what he did, to make money, naturally; to be seen, to make a career, to seek success. What happens when he enters the kingdom of God?

Let’s give an example. A person is a sweeper, (it is a very simple example), the ‘ecological worker ’as it is called today in some places. He does his job well. He gets up early in the morning and when he finishes he returns happily to his house; happy with the stipend earned. And now he enters the new world. So, his profession has another meaning because the goal will not be to have a pay and then have a few moments of rest, or maybe aspire to earn more. The goal when leaving home in the morning will be ‘Today I will do my job, I will clean the city streets well and when in the morning, when people go to work, they will find the city beautiful, clean, they will start the day well… they will be happy.’ He does not think about his pay but in the joy he will give people because he feels servant of life and the joy of the brothers and sisters.

When the disciple of Christ leaves the house in the morning he asks: ‘How can I make people happy today? What can I do to make the world happier, that people be more serene, live in peace? Then, each one of us, in the profession we exercise, we can give our contribution to this new world, a fraternal world, a world of peace.

Let’s give another example. Think of one who is an employee of a telephone company. And there is an old woman who has problems with a phone line. She calls for repair and the man arrives, he is a professional, very capable person. But he also knows that the old woman is very suspicious of those who go to her house. The employee is called not only to fix the telephone line; if he has entered the new world he will carry out his work differently. He realizes the problem this old woman has, that she is distrustful; therefore, he deals carefully with her and when he leaves that house he has not only fixed the telephone line, but it has brought joy and happiness to this person. And he keeps in mind that this is the request the Master places before him. We can take any other job. Everyone, for example, has the experience of visiting a specialist doctor. An excellent person, but this person reacts accordingly to the ancient world; his interest is also to accumulate more money.

If he is a disciple of Christ, once he has enough to live with dignity he will be happy with just that and he will also want to make happy all those that he can help in these difficult moments of their lives. The bread maker… he can do it well but he can also think: how many will be happy today to eat this bread that I prepare with extreme care. Think of an architect. The architect prepares the design of a house and does it well. But he designs it in such a way that the people who live there meet, dialogue and have the proper environment to foster peace and harmony in this family.

I put these examples to give an idea, to say that when one enters the new world, when one accepts the proposal of Christ, sets the goal of love on top of the scale of values, to make someone happy, to love the people he meets. Jesus calls these two brothers who follow him immediately. They accept the proposal of leaving the ancient world. They could still be fishermen, but in a totally different way. He calls two other brothers: James and John who were ‘fixing the nets.’

And here is another word for ‘net’ = ‘δίκτυα’ which means the good net, the one used at sea. “He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.” They leave not only the nets, but the boat and the father. They will enter a new boat. The boat is the image of the community, of those who accept the proposal of the new world, of the kingdom of God.

They leave the boat of the ancient world, where the profession is carried out in a certain way, and they open their hearts to the new world, to the new light. Leaving the father means leaving the traditions where they were anchored. Those traditions that gave them security. NO. When the call of Christ is heard, one trusts in it and this is enough.

The conclusion of the Gospel text presents three verbs that summarize Jesus’ work. “Jesus went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people.” To teach: it is the new light for the person. We are at the beginning of the year.

The Baptist had already indicated this light: ‘He is the light and the witness of the light.’ The light comes out of the Lamb. The lamb is white and the white color is a symbol of light. And the light comes off this Lamb and shines and must guide and must shine in us, this light of the Lamb must be reflected in our life.

“Proclaiming the Good News.” The Good News is this word that instills hope, which gives meaning to the most disastrous lives, which ensures that God’s love is greater that the evil that dwells in man. It will be this Gospel, this Good News that will say that God is good and always good, that He does not punish anyone because this is not the God reflected in the face of Jesus of Nazareth.

“Curing every disease and illness among the people.” The gestures of cures that Jesus will do will be the sign of another healing that is done by the message he announces, it is the Gospel, the Spirit he gives. The healing of the ‘dehuman’ that is present in us, of the ancient world to which we are still giving our consent. The Gospel, the word of the Master, his light heals all these diseases. The disease of resentment, of hate, of envy, of jealousy, moral corruption… are all diseases that dehumanize us. The light and word of Jesus heals from all this inhumanity that may still be present in many of us and in all of us certainly to a small degree.

I wish you all a good Sunday and a good week.