Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: January 6, 2025

Date: Monday after Epiphany

Scripture Text: Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled:

Land of Zebulun 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.

From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand."

He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people. His fame spread to all of Syria, and they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases and racked with pain, those who were possessed, lunatics, and paralytics, and he cured them. And great crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed him.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel reading for today recounts Jesus’ response after learning of the arrest of John the Baptist. This marks the beginning of His ministry in the Gospel of Matthew. It immediately follows his baptism and 40 days in the desert. Jesus’ mission consisted of proclaiming the Kingdom through word and through the action of healing.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Am I prepared to follow Jesus? What do I need to repent? What “healing” do I need from Christ?

Praying:

LORD, we come to You this day full of praise and thanksgiving. Glory to You, Father, Son, and Spirit. Thank You for this day and for your constant and loving presence to us. Help us, we pray, to turn away from those things that separate us from You. Almighty Father, help us to lead the lives You created us to live and become the daughters and sons You created us to be. Beloved Son, we bring to You our brokenness and beg of You to restore us, to heal us, so that we might follow You as your disciples. Spirit, stir within us so that the love poured out to us may be the leaven within us that transforms us and fuels us. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.