Readings:
Isaiah 8:23—9:3
Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14
1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17
Matthew 4:12-23 or 4:12-17

In Matthew’s gospel, the public ministry of Jesus begins after he hears that John the Baptist has been arrested or “handed over” —- a phrase that will be used later to describe Jesus’ passion and death (Mt 17:22, 26:2). Jesus then “withdrew to Galilee” (Mt 4:12). This is part of a pattern of impending threats. “The magi “withdrew” to escape the wrath of Herod, Joseph “withdrew” with the Holy Family to Egypt, and then to Galilee to avoid Archelaus (Mt 2:12, 14, 22).”[1] So already at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, there was a hint of danger.

Jesus starts his ministry on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee, which fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah, which is quoted both by Matthew and in the first scripture reading today. “Land of Zebulum 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” (Mt 4:15-16, Is 9:1-2). Jesus fulfills this prophecy not only geographically, but more importantly as the bearer of light over darkness and death. We then have the key teaching of Jesus’ ministry: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mt 4:17). The call to repentance and the kingdom is breaking-in through Jesus.

In the second part of today’s gospel selection, Jesus begins calling the first disciples, who responded immediately although they didn’t know what risks and challenges lie ahead. When we move to the early church, the early women and men disciples also had difficulties in following the message of the kingdom of heaven in reality, in ordinary time. In our reading from First Corinthians, Paul confronts the community because of their divisions and rivalries. People claimed they belonged to Paul, Apollos, Cephas, and Christ. “Is Christ divided?” (I Cor 1:13). Paul strongly states that there should “be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose” (I Cor 1:10).

How relevant these words are for us today! Within the Catholic Church, we have those who overly identify as belonging to Pope John XXIII, Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, or Pope Francis. How does this contribute to the divisions we experience in the church in the United States and beyond today? We also have unhealthy tensions among all Christians. “Is Christ divided?” (I Cor 1:13). Of course, we are very aware of the divisions in society, in terms of race, culture, nationality, citizenship, and all forms of prejudices. In a forthcoming book I am co-authoring with Stephen Bevans, I have named fifteen “us/them” groups of people, to whom the church should show a more radical welcome in order to be a witness of God’s abiding love and light for all, which witnesses to the reign of God that Jesus preached.

Striving to overcome these divisions, rivalries, prejudices, and injustices is as difficult as it was for the Corinthian community. I think that we need to start within the church. How can the church be a credible witness and instrument of addressing terrible divisions “out there,” without addressing those divisions within the church.

Some years ago, my SVD Chicago province lifted up “anti-racism” as the top priority of the Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation committee for the next three years. Then, someone said, “How can we talk about anti-racism out there, without naming and acknowledging racism within the SVD?” This led to a process of collecting experiences of racism within the SVD, producing a video and study guide, and preparing facilitators to lead SVD community discussions of racism within the SVD. This was challenging, risky, and sensitive, but it was at least a first step.

Those initial words of Jesus’ ministry — “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mt 4:17) — summarize the challenge of following Jesus in ordinary time, and the promised hope of the reign of God already breaking-in through the Spirit in the church and the world.

Roger Schroeder, SVD

Louis J. Luzbetak, SVD Chair of Mission and Culture

[1] Ian Boxall, “Matthew,” Jerome Biblical Commentary for the Twenty-First Century. Third Fully Revised Edition, edited by Collins, Hens-Piazza, Reid, and Senior (London, New York: t&t clark, 2022), 1180.