"The people who live in darkness has seen a great light." So began our Christmas readings, and here in today's gospel from Matthew, we see the fulfillment of this prophesy taking place. Jesus is beginning His public ministry. John has prepared the way for Him proclaiming "Repent, the Kingdom of God is at hand". Now that John is in prison, Jesus takes up this same message as He introduces Himself and the reign of God to His people. He went back to His own home country to begin His ministry of teaching, healing and proclaiming the Kingdom. Crowds of people followed Him to be relieved of their pain and suffering. He was surely bringing light into the darkness of peoples' lives.

All of us through our Baptism are called to continue this mission of Jesus. Some of us may continue this mission through proclaiming the good news, others through teaching or healing. Each of us through our presence and our prayer can be the light in people's lives. In today's first reading we are called to live the kind of life that God wants us to live and to love one another. By keeping these commandments we are living in God and God is living in us.