Matthew 4: 12-17, 23-25
Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
“Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,
on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
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.”
From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Jesus 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. So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought to him all the sick, those who were afflicted with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, and paralytics, and he cured them. And great crowds followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
When Things Fall Apart
What do you do when things fall apart? When the news is bad, the plan collapses, or you lose your way, my instinct is to crawl into bed and disappear for a while—close the door, pull up the covers, and wait it out.
But, that is not what Jesus does in today’s Gospel. When Jesus hears that John has been arrested, he doesn’t shut down or retreat into isolation. He relocates and begins again. He leaves what is familiar and goes toward Galilee. Jesus meets people where pain has settled into daily life and reminds them that God has not forgotten them. He teaches, heals, and listens among people who are sick, exhausted, marginalized, and desperate for relief. He doesn’t ask them to get their lives together first. He starts by restoring them.
When things fall apart, Jesus chooses presence over paralysis. He turns toward people who are hurting and makes the Kingdom tangible through mercy, compassion, and healing. The invitation is simple but challenging: when things fall apart, where do we go—and who do we move toward?
—Jackie Schulte is the Interim Head of School and Dean of Faculty Formation at Creighton Preparatory School in Omaha, Nebraska.
Prayer
God of light,
when things fall apart and our instinct is to retreat,
turn us outward.
Give us the courage to move toward places of pain,
the patience to stay present,
and the trust to believe your Kingdom is already close.
Make us instruments of your mercy and healing.
Amen.
—Jackie Schulte
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