Fr Leonard E Dollentas
When Jesus began his public ministry of preaching and healing, John the Baptist had already been arrested, putting an end to his movement of religious revival. At that point, instead of going back to Nazareth (i.e. instead of going home) , Jesus went to Capernaum. This marked a new beginning, whose purpose is described in a verse of prophecy: “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who lived in the land of the shadow of death, light has dawned.”
The starting point of Jesus’ message was very like that of John the Baptist. He moves directly from his quiet home in Nazareth to Capernaum on the travel route by the Sea of Galilee. This is the land of Herod Antipas, who had arrested John and would later judge Jesus. Remember, Jesus, as an infant had fled Herod the great; now, in adulthood, he moved courageously toward Herod the Great’s son taking up the torch of John’s message: “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.” The word for “repentance” in Greek is metanoia – and it means “a change of mind / heart” to thinking outside the box of ego. This is the remedy for the “darkness,” the rut of meaningless human existence in which so many people find themselves. Jesus realizes he needs help to teach the lesson of love of God and neighbor; he recruits. He walks by the Sea of Galilee and sees two sets of brothers: Peter and Andrew and James and John. He says, come, follow me; I will make you fishers of people. He was calling them to a far more difficult task than outwitting fish that instinctively seek food. He was calling them to attempt, like himself, to lure people into finding the gut-felt need for meaning in their lives. To catch them, he had only his message as a lure to attract them to the light of truth. Jesus’ image of “catching” is perfect. He seeks the hearts of human beings. The seeking involves luring – as in fishing. At his call, they immediately follow him. But why? He was charismatic. That is, there was an “aura or charm” about him, an air of enthusiasm, of passion. He exuded zeal. When he spoke, he clearly knew what he was talking about – what his Jewish listeners called “speaking with authority.” The four saw this. Jesus did not act “cool.” He possesses the ability to attract and charm people. His outspoken confidence in his message was contagious. His listeners caught his enthusiasm. When they listened to him, they were “hooked.” They responded to him. They believed him – and more importantly, they believed in him.
He announced: “Turn from your sins, and back turn to God, because the kingdom of heaven is near.” Turning away from sins is a voluntary act, which can be reversed. There is a story to illustrate that point. When Leonardo da Vinci was asked to do a painting of the Last Supper, he searched far and wide for models for each person in the scene. He found a fine-looking young man, full of vitality, as the perfect model for Jesus. In the following months he did the same for models for each of the apostles, leaving Judas till last, not knowing how to represent him. Finally, he came across a tramp whom he thought was ideal for the part. Leonardo brought him to his studio, but while the work was in progress, he came to a shocking realisation. This man had been with him months before, representing Jesus. In the meantime, he had taken to drink and lost his way, and was now homeless. It was a shock to Leonardo, when he discovered that the man he modelled for Judas was the same man he previously found to present Jesus in the painting.
God does not ask people to be perfect before they follow Him. He calls people just as they are. The Gospel encourages us to trust that God can use them, no matter their background or abilities. All that is needed is a willing heart. Jesus fulfils this promise by beginning His ministry in Galilee. The land that once knew suffering now hears the message of hope. Jesus teaches, heals, and calls people to follow Him. He shows that God has not forgotten His people. True, many people today still feel like they are in darkness at times. Life can be full of struggles, disappointments, and uncertainty. The message of the Gospel reminds us all that that God’s light is still shining. Jesus is present, bringing hope and calling people to trust in Him.
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