Jesus goes in a region populated by Gentiles, that is pagans or romanized people, and begins to carry out his mission there. Galilee was in fact the ideal ground to begin with.
Contrary to what certain timid and trembling priests say, who see there risks and difficultes for Jesus, thinking about events that would take place centuries later, let's try to reason objectively.
After the John's murder the risk and the greatest obstacles would be among the Jews with their bigotry and religious intolerance.
I personally believe that Jesus knew that among the 'Gentiles' there was freedom of speech and religion, and that his preaching here would not have surprised anyone but jews, at most would have been ignored.
Let's imitate Him then. Let us not be afraid to show that we are Christians, but let's do it without exposing ourselves to unnecessary risks.
If we do not have the ambition of martyrdom, and if we have to go for our work, let's not show us cristians in places like Mecca or Pakistan, which are infinitely more dangerous and hostile to us than it was the Galilea to Jesus.
We can talk freely among 'pagans', were there's more space, there's people with an open mind and freedom habits similar to ours . And here, if we want, we'll have a lot of occasion to do our apostolate.
Historical background: do you know why a courteous and affable or even noble person is called gentle, or gentleman?I bet you know.
Lino Bertuzzi
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Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 4:12-23.
When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee.
He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali,
that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled:
Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles,
the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen."
From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen.
He said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men."
At once they left their nets and followed him.
He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them,
and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.
He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people.
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