The People Who Walk in Darkness

Brief Audio Reflection The People Who Walk in Darkness - Matthew 4:12-23; The Third Sunday after the Epiphany, Year A .

John is in jail and Jesus is on the run. This week’s gospel opens up like a western movie. Back then, preaching peace and living love could be a very dangerous business. In fact, it still can be. Jesus knows his ministry will take him to the cross. But he’s not ready for that yet. He’s just begun and there is so much work to do. Herod has John locked up, but that doesn’t shut him up. From the depths of the dungeon, John cries out: “Repent,” echoing Christ’s call to: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

The message is two-thousand years old; but it’s as if Jesus had composed it this morning just for us. The kingdom certainly is at hand. But you won’t find it on MapQuest. The kingdom of heaven exists where the bondage of sin has been broken; where God is praised; where neighbor is loved. For the faithful, the kingdom of heaven exists wherever God’s will reigns: in a single soul, in a family, a congregation, a community. But that great blessing comes with a great obligation. We are the light of the world. We must take that light to the people who walk in darkness. We must live an evangelical life; letting family, friends, co-workers, everyone we touch today know from our example…our faith, our hope, our love… that the kingdom of heaven is at hand. It is here for the asking. There is no reason to walk in darkness when we can dance in the light