Capernaum

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Capernaum

Prophecy     Fulfilled

Starting     Calling     Inviting

Glorified The Seaward Road

Begin

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scriptures:  Isaiah 8:23

First the Lord looked down upon the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali; but now He has glorified the seaward road, the land that is found west of the Jordan that is occupied by many Gentiles.

Matthew 4: 12 to 20

When Jesus got the news that John had ben arrested, He decided to go to Galilee. He went to stay in Capernaum by the sea instead of Nazareth. It was located in the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali.

What Isaiah had talked about was now fulfilled: "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan , and Galilee of the Gentiles---the people who were enveloped in darkness have now seen a great light and those who were living in a land of death have found a beautiful light."

Jesus then began His preaching and told the people, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is here."

Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee. He saw two brothers: Simon, who is now called Peter, and Andrew.

They were fishing, casting their nets out into the sea.

Jesus spoke to them and said, "If you come with me, I will make you fishers of men."

At once they left their nets and went with Jesus.

Reflection

Capernaum.

Jesus changes His location when he gets word of the arrest of John according to Matthew. We can understand why----if Jesus was up in the north, the religious and political authorities centered around the Temple in Jerusalem would not bother Him.

By bringing the light of the Gospel and His healing to this area, Jesus was fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah that was written around five hundred years before His birth. 

It was a beautiful area by the water but also an area where many Gentiles (those who were not Jewish) lived. This does not stop Jesus from proclaiming the Gospel and also calling others to follow Him. Yes, John was arrested and there were many non-Jews in the area. So what! Full speed ahead!

Jesus shows us that no obstacles were going to get in His way. He was beginning His mission to bring light, healing, and love to others. He would fulfill the prophecy that Isaiah had uttered and He would fulfill the mission given to Him by the Father.

We face many obstacles today also. We are called just as Simon and Andrew were. We know that the Light of Jesus will be with us as we try to overcome the barriers confronting us.

We are called to follow from our Capernaums and to glorify the roads we walk with the Good News we have been given.

Enjoy your walk!

1.  What do you feel when you hear that Jesus fulfilled a prophecy from Isaiah that was written five hundred years before His birth?

2. We saw in today's scriptures that Jesus faced many obstacles. What are some of the obstacles that you face today in proclaiming the Good News?

3. How do you feel that Jesus is calling you to follow Him?

4. What do you see as you reflect on Kathy's photo?

(scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)