From FR MICHAEL
The response of Jesus to the arrest of John the Baptist is the beginning of the public life of Jesus. Indeed, the response is not to run and hide, but to settle down in the territory of Herod, who had John put in prison. Jesus walks into a land that was in darkness with a ruler like Herod Antipas. When Jesus was born, the earlier Herod had forced Jesus to flee for his life.
Everything is happening within a larger plan. Jesus is playing out the divine drama, moving, according to God’s ancient plan proclaiming a message that cannot be imprisoned.
The Gospel acclamation of today is about the lifework of Jesus. It is here in Galilee that Jesus starts to change the lives of many people, in particular we are reminded of the calling of the apostles. Jesus Christ draws these men to him. They see his actions of healing and are drawn into the dawning of God’s eternal. Promise.
Jesus is not hiding from the present Herod. He is intensifying his activity with teaching proclaiming and healing throughout Galilee. He is a single-minded man on a mission. People are fascinated by him and Herod loses his grip.
This week – what do I find fascinating about Jesus?
With love and prayers Fr Michael