!9,1996
The Message -- for Catholics of Southwestern Indiana
13
-- Cornmentary--
Fufillment of scripture: Choosing first disciples
ja Gosp el Commentary for
nuary 21,1996, Cycle A,
Matthew 4:12.23
Matthew begins with a brief
reference to the arrest of John the
Baptist. He will tell his readers
er that John was arrested by 1 od I
order of Herod Antipas, that He
a_s influenced by his wife Herodias
,. arrest John because John pub-
ncly denounced what was consid-
;ed an adulterous marriage be-
ech r Herod and Herodias. We do
now exactly where John had
g and preaching but it
been in an area subject to the jurisdic-
Antipas. Therefore the arrest was not
in Judea where the Roman prefect
farther north along the Jordan in t-he
area known as Perea.
From the Gospel of John we know that Jesus
disciples had also begun a baptismal min-
that of John the Baptist. The arrest of
seems to have put an end to Jesus' baptismal
Matthew tells us Jesus withdrew into
arrest We assume this withdrawal was to avoid
T, . out Jesus went t, GAlilee i h was also
aeroa,_. . ..... wh c
xL s JUrisdiction Thus after a brief sta at
"aZareth in central'Galile'e Jesus moved Caper-
bll-This city provided not only a larger audience
0 "'7"u a route for quick escaoe on the Sea of
I.I:TjiThat there was at onetime an attempt by
18'31 ,.'_t tupas to arrest Jesus is clear from Luke
.' ", nere Jesus is w w n
kill him arned that Herod a ted to
DB(NFATHER
DILGER
COLUMNIST
Matthew gives us no insight
into political intrigue but finds a
text in the Old Testament to
demonstrate that this move of
Jesus into Galilee was already fore-
seen in the 8th century B.C. by Isa-
iah 9:1-2. The prophet Isaiah
speaks words of consolation to the
northern tribes that were gradually
falling to the army of Assyria from
734 to 721 B.C. Assyria, the super-
power of the day, was retaliating
for an alliance formed against it.
Isaiah promises liberation, a libera-
tion Matthew interprets as happen-
ing over 700 years later when Jesus
moves close to the Sea of Galilee. Matthew had to
change the meaning of the words of Isaiah to fit the
quotation to the situation in Jesus' time. He has
given an entirely new and now spiritual meaning to
the words of Isaiah. Thus Matthew adds words not
of political liberation, but of spiritual liberation, the
first words of Jesus' public ministry: "Repent, for
the kingdom of heaven is at hand." This message he
copied from Mark's Gospel. Significantly Matthew
deletes the words of the Marcan Jesus: "The time is
at hand." Just as Luke does, so Matthew has to cor-
rect Mark's message of the imminent return of
Jesus.
Jesus now walks on the shore of the Sea of
Galilee. Here he encounters two fishing brothers,
Simon (later called Peter) and Andrew. He says:
"Follow me. From now on you will be fishing for peo-
ple." Their affirmative response is instant. He en-
counters two more fishing brothers, James and
John, working the waters of the Sea of Galilee with
their father Zebedee. Jesus calls them. They leave
the boat and their father and follow Jesus instantly.
Perhaps we find this instant response somewhat pe-
culiar. Luke did, so he arranged his gospel to have
Jesus first work some miracles. Then he calls his
first disciples. It can hardly be doubted that the Old
Testament story of Elijah calling Elisha to follow
him influenced the formation of the call of Jesus'
first disciples. The story, is found in the First Book
of Kings 19:19-21. Elijah and Elisha are ninth cen-
tury B.C. prophets. Like Jesus, Elijah will soon be
taken up. He calls a successor, young Elisha. Elisha
is not fishing. He is plowing. The major difference
between the Old Testament story and Matthew's
story is that Elisha does not respond with immedi-
ate discipleship but wants to take care of some fam-
ily matters first. Not so with Jesus' new disciples.
Their discipleship is expressed with instant compli-
ance to Jesus invitation.
What has Matthew taught us in today's gospel
reading? Jesus is the fulfillment of all the hopes of
both Jew and Gentile for light and salvation. His
readers come from both sides, Jew and Gentile.
Thus he cites words of Isaiah that were originally
directed to the lost northern tribes of Jews now ab-
sorbed into the nations or Gentiles. We are among
the latter who "sat in darkness and have seen a
great light." Secondly, we are urged to repent and
take advantage of"the light that has dawned for
those who sat in the.., shadow of death." Thirdly,
our response to the call of Jesus' words of repen-
tance and return to God must be immediate, no ex-
cuses, no delays.
Readings : Isaiah 8:23-93; I Cor 1:10.13, 17.
191
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