Light for Galilee of the Gentiles (Mon after Epiphany)

“Light” seems to be the most dominant word in the readings for the Feast of Epiphany, maybe to serve as a stark reminder to us that Jesus came as light. And from experience, we all know that light is more naturally needed when there is darkness.

In Matt. 4:14-15, there is a mention of the “lands of Zebulun and Naphtali, the territories that make up the “Galilee of the Gentiles (or of the Nations)”. Of all parts of Palestine, the city of Galilee though very small was the most densely populated. It was a metropolis so to say. The city itself was literally surrounded by the Gentiles (the Phoenicians, the Syrians and the Samaritans); and that is why the city was described as “Galilee of the Gentiles”. Because of the presence of the Gentiles in and around the city of Galilee, it was the only Jewish city that was mostly in touch with non-Jewish influences and ideas. As a result, the orthodox Jews regarded the Galilee city as a region of darkness. Interestingly, it was in this city regarded as a “region of darkness” that Jesus began his public ministry.  And this was a fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah that says that “the 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” (cf. Isa. 9:2).

There may not be cities or societies or places that can be LITERALLY regarded as “regions of darkness” in our own time. But in some ways, we may still be seen as still sojourning in the “region of darkness”. One of those ways by which we can choose to remain in the dark is when we express (either by words of mouth, actions or inactions) that Jesus did not come in the flesh. St John describes people with such mentality as those who do not have the spirit of God: they are the real antichrists, liars and deceivers ((cf. 1 Jn. 4:3). When we espouse such belief, we dismiss the reality of the incarnation and consequently reduce or completely dismiss the saving work of God in and through Jesus who became human in order to save humanity. Such people dwell in the darkness of unbelief and they also need the light of Christ.

We may not consciously or openly confess that Jesus did not come in the flesh just as some people did during the early days of Christianity (cf. 1 Jn. 4:3). But sometimes, deep within us, we may have a certain propensity to believe that the salvation of the humankind is impossible. With such mentality, without even knowing it, we indirectly dismiss that Jesus became man in order to save humanity. Those of us who fall under this category are still in the “Galilee of the Gentiles”, in the region of darkness of unbelief. We also need the light of faith; we also need the light of Christ.

Prayer:

May the light of Christ disperse our darkness of unbelief, Amen.

Have a radiant day!