John had been arrested and Jesus begins to call his disciples and proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
He began in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. A distressed area. Isaiah said it was filled with darkness and despair and would be the first to see the light of the Messiah.
Jesus went directly to the worst of places. A place of commerce and gentiles where the life there was more of a transient area characterized as a port city. Where men went to trade and not so much live.
Jesus sought those who needed to hear the good news the most. People that didn’t seek God and were most likely focused on other gods of the marketplace.
But then Jesus even told the Pharisees he did not come for the righteous but the sinner. So, he ate and stayed and sat with those that he found in dark places, away from the temple and away from traditional communities who were more focused on God.
And that reflects also what we should be doing. It can be easy to spend most of our time with like people. Those who believe. Those whose share faith with. And that can nourish our soul to be with them. But we were not called to be comfortable and always meeting our own needs. We are called to take the faith we have and the Gospel to those who do not share our faith. Who we don’t see in church perhaps.
This year maybe that can be a New Year’s resolution to be more aware of the need for us to be with those who do not believe yet and bring the light of Christ into the life of others.
For most of us, that is probably work areas and relationships. Those would be the first to shine our light. Maybe neighbors would be likely folks accessible to us.
And our marketplace too needs the light of Christ.
Like the 12 we are called to go forth and bring the light of the Messiah out into the darkness of the world.
That should be our mission for 2026 and beyond.
Deacon Tony Pynes 
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