Matthew 4:17

“From that moment, Jesus began to proclaim: “Convert yourself, for the kingdom of Heaven is very close." (Matthew 4:17)

Passage from Matthew’s gospel, chapter 4

When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: ‘Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”

"From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matthew 4:12-17)

Jesus calls for conversion

At the very beginning of his public life, just after the episode of temptation in the desert, Jesus settled in Capernaum from where he began his preaching. Continuing the testimony of John where the Baptist left him, he calls for conversion and announces the coming of the kingdom of Heaven. Repentance is the prelude to any preaching of the gospel, it is the initial path leading to salvation and entry into the kingdom of Heaven. This kingdom was very close because Jesus would open it with his resurrection just three years later. Entry into this kingdom, Heaven, can only be done with a pure and repenting heart. Everyone is called to open their heart to welcome the Kingdom, this is the goal pursued by Jesus in his teachings.

With Hozana, let us repent and make our way to the Kingdom!

Jesus calls us to change our hearts, to purify them to make them ready for heaven, and many beautiful prayer communities can help step by step!

• To welcome the Kingdom is to put Christ at the heart of our lives. With this community, spend 10 minutes with Jesus in a daily guided meditation on the gospel reading of the day led by Catholic priests, that is aimed to be an accessible way to encounter Christ in our daily lives.
• Repentance is above all an encounter with the Lord. God loves us each personally, receive every day a word of love from the Father to let you embrace by his love!
• Let us pray to Mary to enter into the joy of the Kingdom! With this month-long retreat, Get acquainted with your Mother Mary, and invite her to your home and heart.