Third Sunday after the Epiphany

Isaiah 9:1-4; Matthew 4:12-23

Rev. Neli Miranda

 

The Epiphany comes to us today from Galilee, a region in northern Israel, where Jesus inaugurates the Kingdom of God. During the monarchy this region was occupied by the tribes of Zebulun, Naphtali and Asher and was part of the northern kingdom of Israel until its invasion and colonization by the Assyrians in the 8^th century BC. This situation of oppression and suffering is pointed out by the prophet Isaiah in the first lesson where he proclaims hope and redemption for the land of Zebulun and Naphtali, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness-- on them light has shined” (Isaiah 9,2)

Eight centuries later, Matthew recalls Isaiah’s announcement about the liberation and redemption of this region and puts it in the light of the beginning of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee, which now suffers under Roman control. Matthew tells us that Jesus arrived in Galilee and made his home in Capernaum in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali to fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy, “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…” (Mathew 4,15-16).

Because of the direct contact with gentiles, the people of the south from the region of Judea despised the Galileans and considered them impure. While Judeans considered themselves of pure Jewish lineage and waited for the divine retribution for remaining pure. Most certainly they also expected the Messiah’s manifestation in their midst in the temple in Jerusalem.  However, today we learned that the divine manifestation, the epiphany, arrived in Galilee, in the territory of those considered gentiles, “the impure”. There, Jesus proclaimed, “Repent [turn to God], for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”  

The message of the Gospel is clear, don’t you think? God’s priority is for those who live in great need, the despised of the world, the oppressed, the marginalized, those who long for a word of hope and liberation.

Jesus inaugurates the Kingdom of God in the amidst of a dangerous political situation. John the Baptist has been arrested because of his incendiary message, "Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near." With the Baptist’s arrest, Herod Antipas wanted to extinguish any movement threatening the stability of the Roman Empire or his stability as Rome’s client King. However, the voice of John the Baptist is taken up by Jesus with great courage and he announces that the Kingdom of God is already among the people bringing justice and peace. The announcement of the arrival of the Kingdom of God could not be more subversive in the midst of the powerful Roman kingdom that dominated the entire region. There, in the Galilee of the gentiles, Jesus announces that the oppressive human kingdoms are going to fall.

There, in Galilee Jesus also names his first disciples: the brothers Peter and Andrew and the brothers James and John. They are not intellectuals, nor do they hold positions of power; they are fishermen on the Lake of Galilee (also called Lake Tiberias in honor of the Roman emperor Tiberius).  Fishing was an important economic activity that contributed to the subsistence of the families around the Lake; however, fishing was controlled and taxed by the Roman Empire. Herod Antipas on behalf of the Empire controlled all the economic activities in Galilee including fishing. He monopolized the exploitation of lakes and rivers, and fishermen paid him a percentage of their catch in exchange for the right to fish. Those who did not pay taxes were not allowed to fish. What voracious control to benefit the powerful!

Today, the Epiphany reaches Andrew, Peter, John and James. They stop working for the economic system that benefits Herod Antipas and the Roman Empire. They now are going to follow Jesus and dedicate themselves to fishing for the Kingdom of God, to benefit the needy!  

Dear sisters and brothers, in this Epiphany season Jesus comes with his great proclamation for the needy, the brokenhearted, the oppressed and suffering, the despised and for those who are not the priority of any socio-economic or religious current system. Jesus brings the good news that the Kingdom of God is already in our midst and asks us to turn to God and find hope and life.  Jesus also walks by the sea of our economy and invites us to find alternative ways that benefit needy people and those who are beneficiaries of the Kingdom of God. Jesus does not ask us to stop working but he does ask us to leave voracious economic systems and work for the Kingdom of God.

May this Epiphany season bring Jesus to our Galilee. May we hear Jesus’ voice inviting us to follow him. May we be willing to leave our own nets and receive the nets of the Kingdom of God. Amen.