Jan 23, 2023
HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 4:12-23
Jesus begins his public ministry shortly after John the Baptist is imprisoned by Herod. He proclaims the nearness of God’s reign and calls four fishermen to be his first disciples.
The Holy Gospel according to Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord.
12Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he
withdrew to Galilee. 13He left Nazareth and
made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun
and Naphtali, 14so that what had been
spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be
fulfilled:
15“Land of Zebulun, land
of Naphtali,
on the road by the sea, across the
Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
16the people who sat in
darkness
have seen a great
light,
and for those who sat in the region and
shadow of death
light has dawned.”
17From
that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of
heaven has come near.”
18As he walked by the Sea
of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and
Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were
fishermen. 19And he said to them,
“Follow me, and I will make you fish for
people.” 20Immediately they left
their nets and followed him. 21As he went from there,
he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother
John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets,
and he called them. 22Immediately they left
the boat and their father, and followed him.
23Jesus went throughout
Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news
of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among
the people.