Galilee is a must for God experience in our lives.

While reading the Gospel according to St Matthew, chapter 1&2, one often wonders as to why Jesus had to be born at one place and then shift to another place and from there to yet another place and finally end up in Galilee. It is generally understood to be as to bring true what the prophets had foretold. He starts His ministry from Galilee, immediately after being filled with the power of the Spirit following His temptation by Satan in the wilderness (Luke 4:14-15, Mark 1:14, Mat. 4:12).

Galilee – The sinful city

Galilee if we see, in those days was a port city full of sailors and merchants. It had all the evils attached with a city with a port in it, which we often see even nowadays in such places. Lot of brothels, immoral women and sinful people used to reside there with humanity taking the least value place and commercialisation at its peak. Without a Saviour, these people were to be doomed. And here is where, Jesus had to start His ministry.

Further to this, one should also contemplate on the hardships faced by Mother Mary and St Joseph to bring Jesus to Nazareth in Galilee. These hardships were in the face of death! The Gospel according to St Matthew chapter 2 verses 13 to 23 and Luke 2:1-39, vividly explain this. For instance, how hard it would have been to carry a baby one day old and his mother to a distant place without any permanent establishment to live in! Then again after few days they had to shift back to Israel only to retreat to the town called Nazareth in the district of Galilee. One must not forget as to how painful the social life would have been to a righteous man like Joseph in a sinful city like Galilee.

Attitude of St Joseph

These hardships in his life were required to fit into the God’s larger plan of saving the mankind which included even a sinful city like Galilee! Then only Jesus could have started His public life there and minister His healing and preaching to the people there. Though at each place, where they shifted, St Joseph had to build up his living means through hard toil. However, instead of complaining over his plight, he followed the inspirations given during various instances by God, in absolute slave-like obedience from his heart. That is why he is remembered and mentioned in the Holy Bible through a singular expression-“Joseph was a ‘RIGHTEOUS’ man” (Matt 1:19).

St Joseph was playing his role wonderfully well through these hardships so as to fulfil God’s plan. Not even a single instance did he rebel against God as done by the Israelites in the book of Exodus, instead religiously followed the divine inspirations however troublesome it were and reached Galilee. Hence, St Joseph like Abraham, was an epitome of real, absolute faith which made him strong to play his part in the grand plan of God for world’s salvation. His strength was faith, faith and faith alone as said about the characters of Old Testament in Hebrews 11.

God’s Majesty and Mercy

Unlike in times of the Old Testament where in cities of Sodom & Gomorrah were destroyed to cinders due to the wrath of God owing to their sinful life (Gen19:14,24-25), God wanted the New Covenant period to start with His saving act up on the most sinful city. “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”. God wanted to manifest His mercy and make it known to the people through Jesus that His nature was the embodiment of mercy and that His Mercy is as great as His Majesty.

A Lesson for Victorious Life

God can do the same miracles today also, in our daily lives because, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” Hebrews 13:8.Hence, when troubles exceed in your life, lift them up along with your tears to our Lord at the foot of His Cross with faith and expectation. This would lead your prayers and supplications to channelize Lord Jesus’ mighty power to manifest in the biggest of your troubles.

Do not be disheartened but wait patiently for the Lord and pray incessantly to lead you in your life according to His plan. Remember the golden adage that the night is darkest just before dawn; similarly, The Lord’s saving power is greatest at the time when tribulations are great. All glory to Him whose power is greatest among the weakest of us!

Prayer:

“Abba Father! I surrender these paths to the cities of Galilee in my life which makes me hard & troublesome to live – the situation of (mention the state here). I invite you Jesus to come and reside with me in this state so that this would transform to a state of bliss. Lord! Help me to obediently follow your inspirations as St Joseph did, even if they may seem difficult for me. Lord, give me the grace to channelize your power in my life through my obedience and to see your triumph over my troubles. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!”

- – - written by G. Sanal, Tughlakabad, New Delhi

David’s greatness lies in fact that He was ready to listen to Nathan, though he was the King of Israel. The Holy Season of Lent is a time of preparation, of conversion, of penance, of purification, a turning away from evil and of deciding for God.

At the origin of human history in the garden of Eden God was one with the first parents. The Lord God walked with them in the garden. They saw him, they heard him and Adam and Eve enjoyed the company of the Lord. God was part of the nature, but once sin entered the world the rhythm of the nature was broken and there came a gulf between God and man.

Day by day mankind walked far from the good Lord. Sin blinded the humanity so much that they began to miss the appearance of the Lord. Purity of heart is indispensable for the glorious vision of the Lord. For Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.” So the Lord God full of love for mankind began to send prophets to let His mind to be known to His children.

Lent is a time, when we are surrounded by ‘Nathans’ and ‘Davids’ everywhere. The liturgical celebrations in this Holy season especially in the scripture reading we come across ‘Nathan’ speaking to us. Nathan is the symbol of God’s voice speaking to us in many ways. May it be our conscience, the word of God, God himself or anyone of the society that surrounds us. David is the symbol of a repentant sinner.

God sends ‘Nathans’ to our lives at every moment to bless us with right direction, and true perception. Let us travel through the Old Testament and get acquainted with Nathan and David. It is interesting to note how David was chosen from among his brothers to be the king over Israel. The Lord anointed David through the hands of Samuel and blessed his life with peace, happiness, wealth, health and prosperity.

Then came a moment of weakness, sin after sin and he alienated from the good Lord. God came down in the person of a prophet, like a good shepherd to seek out the lost. God sent Nathan to speak for him to David and to bring him back home. Nathan went in and spoke with authority but with a sense of compassion, love and tolerance (2 Samuel 12:1). Nathan dramatized the sinful act such a way that David could not but repent for the rest of his life.

Nathan said to David, “You are the man. Thus says the Lord, God of Israel, I anointed you King over Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul; and I gave you your masters wives into your bosom, and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah; and if this were too little; I would add to you as much more. Why have you despised the word of the Lord and done what is evil in his sight by killing Uriah and have taken his wife to be your wife? (2 Samuel12:7-9).

King David repented for his sins, promised a total change, made reparation for the crime and brought about drastic change in his life. He made total reparation for offending the Lord and having gone away from Him. He fasted seven days neither eating nor drinking, he went in and lay all night on the ground and prayed and wept bitterly in spite of being the king over Israel. God was pleased and blessed him and his family with the gift of Solomon who is known for his wisdom. Of course sin had its wages. Since David struck down Uriah with the sword and had taken his wife, the sword never departed from his house.

God painfully noticed that David is gone far away from Him and God took the initiative to bring him back home. As in the days of King David, God sends Nathan to our lives at every moment and every day. In the words of prophet Joel He says, “come back to me with all your heart, fasting, weeping; let your hearts be broken not your clothes torn; turn to the Lord your God again, for he is all tenderness and compassion, slow to anger, rich in graciousness and ready to relent.”

Everyone is called to play both the roles of Nathan and King David, at one time or another.

Prophet Nathan had the following outstanding qualities:

Nathan was sent by God (2 Samuel 12.1)
The scripture says Nathan was sent by God to David. He was sent to speak for God, to speak only God’s words and his only mission was to let God’s mind to the King. It is important for us to know if we are truly sent by God with a special mission or is it out of selfishness, jealousy or grudge that we take up the role of Prophet Nathan at times? It is interesting to note the conversation of Nathan – he speaks in first person, “I anointed you … I rescued you … I gave you your master’s house … I would have added much more… Why have you despised the word of God”? He was sent by God and spoke only for God.

Nathan spoke with authority (2 Samuel 12:7)
All authority is from God. It is clear from Jesus’ answer to Pilate,” you would have no power over me unless it had been given to you from above” (Jn.19:11). “You are the man” Nathan said to David. He was conscious of the mission to speak the words of God. Therefore what we speak with authority should be the words from above, in fact the words of God not personal agenda.

Nathan was person oriented not fault oriented (2 Samuel 12:13)
Nathan’s dialogue was blended with the expressions of love, compassion and forgiveness. He said and did nothing except what was directed by the Lord God. As soon as King David confessed his sin and expressed the sign of repentance Nathan blessed him with forgiveness for his crime. He said, “Now the Lord has put away your sin, you shall not die”. Such are to be our blessing and attitude when we take up the role of Prophet Nathan.

King David was great in Israel but he was simple like a child.
Now we shall reflect some of his virtues:

King David was sincere (2 Samuel 12:5)
King David was sincere and authentic. When Prophet Nathan narrated the story allegorically, King David’s anger was kindled against the man who had done this and said, “The man who has done this deserves to die”. Later when he realized that ‘He was the man’ he did not alter from his word as it is common with us today.

King David repented promptly (2 Samuel 12:13)
King David repented as soon as he realized that he was wrong. He confessed saying,” I have sinned against the Lord”. David being the great King over Israel had the humility and sincerity to come down from his throne and correct himself. Today our society desperately lacking a sense of sin. Injustice, robbery, murder, rape, persecution and all kinds of evil are so much part of our lives that we seem to lose the sense of sin. Only a person with clear conscience can have a sense of sin, and accept one’s own fault.

King David made reparation for his sin (2 Samuel 12:16)
The King made reparation for his sin. He went in to the house of the Lord and besought God, he fasted and went in and lay all night upon the ground. He made fitting reparation for his crime and pleased the Lord. This was expressed when Prophet Nathan was sent to King David for a second time, to confirm God’s love for him at the birth of Solomon. (2 Samuel 12:25)

Lent is a Holy season where the heavenly Father expresses himself to us in many ways and through many people. He comes down like a good shepherd and a prodigal father who is full of compassion, merciful love, forgiveness and grace. At times he himself goes in search of the lost sheep or sends Nathans to bring them back home.

God the Father is passionately in love with his children especially when they sin and get alienated from him. Just as the merciful father forgave King David and prodigal son he forgives each one of us provided we repent for our sins and promise our will to give up the wrong path. Our God who is all tenderness and compassion is totally different from the attitude of human beings who glance at a repentant sinner with the same old image. A person with sound inner vision can recognize and accept a person of renewed spirit.

As in the case of King David he sends Nathan to our lives continuously. Have we ever listened to Him? Do we hearken to his voice or ignore him?

The story of King David reveals the depth of God’s Love and how God longs for our coming home to the fathers love. Jesus expressed of this same unconditional love, compassion and forgiveness of our heavenly Father in the parable of the prodigal son.

Come let us pause for a while, and become aware of our position, if we begin to slip away from the track, let us follow Nathan and get back in to the ocean of love and experience once again the compassion, forgiveness and unconditional love of the Heavenly Father.

- – - written by Sr. Mercy Pottokaran OSB

Finding the truth lies in searching the truth sincerely.

You are Simon, son of John; you will be called cephas (Jn.1:42). The disciple’s identity is always given by the Master. He gives it to whomever He wishes, with a special intention. This is not borrowed by money, power or politics.

Jesus says, “Follow me” (Jn.1:43) He invites Philip to follow Him. He invites every disciple to follow Him closely. The close following can help one to know the Master well. Jesus might have seen many in Galilee, but He chooses only a few. The vocation to be a disciple is a special gift, and to attain that gift, one has to have deep longing of heart.

Once Philip followed Jesus closely, it helped him to know the Master well and he shares it with his brother John. He discovered Him as the one about whom Moses wrote in the law and the prophets, “Jesus, Son of Joseph from Nazareth” (Jn.1:45). From those words one can be sure that he was aware of Old Testament and he was a seeker of the Messiah.

A continuous seeking with an open heart is necessary to know the Master. “Can anything good come from Nazareth” (Jn.1:46). These words are not a discouraging one. In fact Nathaniel too was a teacher, and he was well aware of the Torah. He was also a seeker but he could not find out from the Torah about the Messiah who will be coming from Nazareth. Thus he was surprised to hear Philip’s discovery and he was ready to take an extra step to know the truth. He takes Philip’s invitation positively and goes to meet Jesus face to face and experience Him by forgoing his intellectual thinking. A seeker who seeks the Master from the intellectual level cannot discover Him.

This attitude of Nathanial is appreciated by Jesus. He praises him by saying, “Here is a true Israelite” (Jn.1:47). True Israelite is always ready to take an extra step to have a personal relationship with his or her Master. Israel was a chosen race, and Yahweh chose them to be His own. This is compared to spousal relationship. This closeness is being experienced by Nathaniel and Jesus does not see any bad intention in his question. What will be the Master’s response when we approach Him to become a follower? The Identity of true Israelite, is given to Nathaniel.

This wonder happens in us too, when we go close to Him as a true seeker with a sincere intention. Jesus will reveal to us what we are and what is our intention. Here some might be frightened and they try to avoid the Master who speaks truth. The seeker really discovers the Master, and he replies, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God, you are the king of Israel” (Jn.1:49). Nathaniel, who was a teacher discovers the greatest teacher who speaks only truth. He discovered Jesus as the Son of God and King of Israel.

The real discovery is possible through sincere seeking with an open heart. He even humbled himself in front of Philip and went with him to know the Master well, and thus Jesus reveals to Him more and more. As we too are called to be his disciples, how deep is our understanding, discovery about our Master whom we follow? How many are invited through us to experience Jesus by staying with Him?

- – - written by Fr. Biju Maramkuzhackal SVD