Why Jesus asked His Disciples to go to Galilee?

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Easter Season : 1st Week : Monday*

*Gospel : Mt 28:8-15*

*First Reading : Acts 2:14, 22-33*

*Why Jesus asked His Disciples to go to Galilee?*

*1) 80 miles Distance*

It is learnt that Galilee is 80 miles far away from Jerusalem 

Infact all the events of the life of Jesus - passion death, and resurrection took place in Jerusalem. 

It would be easy for the disciples to meet Jesus in Jerusalem rather than in Galilee

Still Jesus asks them to go to Galilee. Why? 

*2) Galilee means to Roll*

The name Galilee is derived from the Hebrew galil which comes from the root גלל ("to roll")

To roll means to go forward 

So, this place has some significant value for the resurrection of jesus 

To roll means to pass over from one phase to another phase 

So Jesus rolled from death to life 

Jesus rolled from darkness to life 

Jesus rolled from defeat to victory

Jesus rolled from despair to hope 

Jesus rolled from earthly life to eternal life

*3) The need to roll or to pass over*

To see the Risen Christ we need to go to Galilee

Once again Galilee in our life is *to roll* *to pass over*

We need to roll from sin to holiness 

We need to roll from darkness to life 

We need to roll from despair to hope 

We need to roll from revenge to forgiveness

We need to roll from pride to simplicity

We need to roll from selfishness to service

*4) To Roll is a continous process*

To roll is not a one moment 

It is a continous and every day process

To roll is to witness some growth, which happens in a gradual way 

To roll over is to struggle every day to do some good or avoid evil and to do good  

*5) Other important points about Galilee*

It was a native place of almost all the disciples

Jesus had performed many miracles and also had preached about many things in Galilee

Jesus also starts His ministry from Galilee. Now the new mission he entrusts once again from Galilee

Galilee was more safe for the Disciples than Jerusalem. In initial days, disciples needed protection from Jews, who crucified Jesus in Jerusalem

*6) The Disciples were already on the Way to Galilee*

Soon after the crucifixion of Jesus, some of the disciples had already left to their native place out of fear of Jews 

So it waa easy for the disciples to gather in Galilee rather than in Jerusalem

So this is also one of the reasons, why Jesus asked his disciples to meet in Jerusalem

*7) Am I ready to Roll*

The Risen Lord invites each one of us to go to Galilee 

Going to Galilee means to roll, to pass over from old ways of life to new way of life

*Am I Ready?*

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*