The relationship between the ministry of John the Baptist and Jesus is the focus of this reading. Jesus saw the necessity of beginning his ministry in union with John, and even signified this union by undergoing his baptism (Mt 3:13-17). It was only after John’s arrest that Jesus showed real independence and embarked on his own ministry. Thus it is clear that Jesus did not break with the Old Testament tradition represented by John, but built upon it and fulfilled it.

Jesus began his ministry by repeating John’s call to repentance (v 17), but whereas John emphasized personal conversion (see Mt 3:1-12), Jesus’ preaching began to center on the presence already of the kingdom of God, and its meaning and demands (see Mt 5ff).

John stayed in one place, the Jordan valley near the Dead Sea, and imposed a baptismal rite of purification upon all who wanted to follow him. His message was for an elite group of the "purified" who came to him accepted his way. Jesus, however, became a wandering preacher, conveying his message to everyone everywhere, even to the borderlands of Israel, where many Jews had been influenced by the "darkness" of paganism (vv 15-16, 23-25). Jesus went forth into the heart of humanity, into the roughest and earthiest of trades and situations, and invited followers from all social classes and occupations. He showed concretely that his message was not to be restricted to a chosen few.

Darkness and light in this oracle have several layers of meaning. Often the eyes of captives and slaves were put out, and captivity itself was a "living death," as though one were already dwelling in sheol, the land of shadows after death. Light not only symbolizes freedom happiness, and glory, but also is needed for finding one’s way, for direction on a journey. This light applies to Christ, the ultimate object of these prophecies, because he comes with new life, and a new way of life. In darkness one can see neither the goal nor the road to it. Light enables one to keep the goal insight, and find one’s way on the road to it.

These psalm verses offer further reflections on the theme of light, almost in the sense of "seeing is believing." To see the Lord in his goodness is proof of his love, and is itself the reward of fidelity. Response: "The Lord is my light and my salvation."

The Christian community at Corinth had lots of problems, and Paul’s letters there provide some of his strongest teaching. The factions which plagued this community were set up on the basis of allegiance to whomever had the strongest influence on these individuals. Disciples of Peter would tend to be Judaizers, while those of Paul would likely be missionary and charismatic. Apollos, as a Greek native, would probably appeal to those of a more philosophical bent, while there may have also been some in the community who had known Jesus personally, and they might have felt superior to the others. Paul’s message is simply that these secondary and incidental things must not be allowed to overshadow our basic unity in Christ.

1. What is the meaning of "the Kingdom of heaven is at hand"?

2. What does the call to reform mean in your life each day?