THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Monday of Christmas Week, 2022

1John 3;22-4:6

Ps 2

Matt 4:12-17; 23-25

The Most Holy Name of Jesus

Repent for the kingdom

Dear friends in Christ, on this Monday following the celebration of the Epiphany, we hear Jesus for the first time in the Gospel of Matthew announce the nearness of the kingdom. What does this mean for the people of his time? 

The First Reading is from (1John 3:22-4:4) where he tells us that if we expect God to answer our prayers, we also must do His will, to be pleasing to God. He tells us however that it does not take that much to be pleasing to God. He says, “We receive from God whatever we ask because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another.” Faith in Christ must translate into a love of others. It is by the love we conquer every obstacle in our path including the love of enemies. That is also the test of God’s presence in our lives because as John says in other texts, “God is love and he who abides in love abides in God and God in him.” John says it is his spirit in us that achieves this purpose and for that reason, “test the spirits to know whether they are of God.” Right from the onset, it was very clear that there were wolves in sheep’s clothing going round and parading themselves as men and women of God—God’s messengers under any title they choose. Those who deny the truth of the faith, whatever title they assign to themselves does not mean they have the spirit of God in them. Know that, “you are of God, and have overcome them; for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 

Today’s gospel (Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25) is an opening chapter in the public ministry of Jesus according to Matthew’s gospel. He puts it on the background of the arrest of John for daring to confront Herod for doing something wrong. He withdrew to Galilee, left Nazareth where he had been brought up, and settled in Capernaum, in fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. The coming of Christ is described as bringing light to those who were in darkness. Jesus then began to preach, his message sounded and reinforced what John—the voice in the wilderness—was proclaiming, the kingdom of God has come. “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” God is all-powerful and at the same time all-merciful. Repentance is all it takes to accept his Messiah and to live out his commandments. Jesus went around, working miracles and teaching and preaching the gospel of the kingdom. He comes to you too at the very beginning of a new year. Have you accepted Jesus? Make a turn around from your evil ways and allow him to be the Lord of your life.

Let us pray: Lord, I repent of my sins and accept you as my Lord and Saviour. Amen

+Remain blessed