1st Scripture Reading – Isaiah 9:1-4
The Righteous Reign of the Coming King
1 But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into
contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make
glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
2 The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
on them light has shined.
3 You have multiplied the nation,
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as people exult when dividing plunder.
4 For the yoke of their burden,
and the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
2nd Scripture Reading – Matthew 4:12-23
Jesus Begins His Ministry in Galilee
12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 He left
Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali,
14
so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
15 “Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,
on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
16
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.”
17 From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Jesus Calls the First Disciples
18 As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and
Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them,
“Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.”
20
Immediately they left their nets and followed
him. 21 As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his
brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. 22
Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.
Jesus Ministers to Crowds of People
23
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.