THE GALILEANS

The following is a quotation taken from the History of the Jewish Nation written by the Historian Josephus Flavius: “They (the Galileans) were very fond of innovations and by nature disposed to changes, and delighted in seditions. They were ever ready to follow a leader who would begin an insurrection. They were quick in temper and given to quarelling. The Galileans have never been destitute of courage. They were ever more anxious for honour than for gain.”

This is the land, these are the people, where, and amongst whom Jesus began His mission. It was His own land; and it would give Him, at least at the beginning, an audience who would listen and kindle at His message.

He began in the synagogue. The Synagogue was the real centre of religious life in Palestine. There was only one Temple, but the Law said that wherever there were ten Jewish families there must be a Synagogue, and so in every town and village it was in the Synagogue that the people met to study the Word of God (the Torah), and to worship.

There were no sacrifices in the synagogue, it was a place reserved for teaching. But, how come that a carpenter from Nazareth, completely unknown and outside the intellectual circle of the learned Scribes and Pharisees, permitted to go up in the Synagogue and address the faithful gathered there? A question we have to answer.

REFLECTION:
Reading about the character of the Galileans, we have to say: “No wonder Peter, a Galilean, was so rash, so quick on the draw, so hyper, in modern jargon, always ready to open up his mouth, ready to take up arms. Yes, he was a perfect product of Galilee. But that was Peter, the Apostle, but what about me, you; John, Mary, Dick and Harry ? Are we any better off than Peter.

How often in life have we taken rash decisions, bullied others with our arguments, were in favour of certain innovations, just for the sake of being original, without studying the consequences thereof, how many times have we imagined ourselves in an honourable position, or in a position of power. How often have we been classified by Jesus in the same class of Peter, the fisherman.

Yet, whatever the case, we know what change came over Simon and what was the result when he let the Master take over, and like the master potter shattered him into small pieces and remoulded him into a new work of art by using the self-same original shreds which one day made up Simon Bar-Jonah, the fisherman. He was transformed into a new being, into Peter, the rock, on whom Christ could rely.

“Lord, take over my whole being and cause that same change, transformation, cause my Transfiguration to fit Your Divine Plan, Amen.”