1st reading; IS 8:23-9:3
There is no way to be certain, but if this traditional translation is correct, the passage would seem to promise the former Northern Kingdom of Israel deliverance from the Assyrians and may relate to the reincorporating the Northern Territories into the kingdom of Judah and thus restore the boundaries back to the way they were under David.
The territories mentioned in the 23rd verse are those which the Assyrian King Tiglath-Pileser III took from Israel as a result of the Syro-Ephramite War of 735-732 BC (2 Kings 15:29)
-Zebulun-Nephtali: regions of the former Northern Kingdom of Israel.
-The Way of the Sea: the area along the Mediterranean coast of Mount Carmel which became the Assyrian province of Dor.
-Land across the Jordan: the province of Gilead east of the Jordan River.
Galilee of the Nations: the territory north of Mount Carmel which was Incorporated in the Assyrian province of Megiddo. Apparently there was a large non-Israelite population in Galilee per MT 4:15-16 in context with Jesus's public ministry.
Responsorial; PS 27:1-6;7-14
Tradition has handed down to us 2 sections that could very well stand on there own. God bringing rescue to us,1-3,an assurance of God being present in his Holy Temple and protection from all enemies,4-6 .7-14 brings us a clear shift in tone in that the climax of the poem comes with an " I believe" echoing "I trust".
2nd Reading; 1 Cor 1:10-13,17
Paul address's divisions in the community. Christ is not divided nor shall we be.
Gospel; MT 4:12-23
Noteworthy, In Capernaum, where Jesus is staying, turns out to be the location where Isaiah's prophesy was fulfilled. Also in verse 17, Jesus begins His preaching by using John the Baptist's words "The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand." In his ministry the kingdom is already present.
In 17- 23, the first of the Apostles are called, Simon, Andrew James and John. The abandonment of family and former way of life but a share in Jesus's work is in their NEW way of life.
Also noteworthy is in 4:23 Matthew describes, most of the time, that the Jewish synagogue as their synagogue(s) or in address to Jews, your synagogue(s),an indication that he wrote after the break between church and synagogue.
Randy
God Bless You!
