January 24, 2021
3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
We are proclaiming the Gospel according to St. Mark in Year B and since it is both the earliest and shortest Gospel, it is supplemented by chapters from the Gospel according to St. John. Last Sunday, in John’s Gospel, we listen to Jesus invite Andrew and an unnamed disciple to “come and you will see†near the Jordan River. Today, in Mark, we hear Jesus begin his public ministry and call Simon and Andrew and James and John to be fishers of men by the Sea of Galilee. Interesting both beginnings are near a source of water.
Mark, the Evangelist, draws a scene of drama and urgency. “After John has been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God.†He captures the essence of Jesus’ preaching. “The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel.†Wow – what an inaugural address – 13 words! There is no question that the stakes are high. It is decision time. Let us take a closer look at the words “repent†and “believe in.â€
“Repent†for us means regret or sorrow for sin, a change of heart. But our English word “repent†translates the Greek “meta†(beyond) and “nous†(mind.) Literally, “Go beyond your mind.†Jesus is saying there must be a new way of seeing, perceiving and grasping reality and the incoming Kingdom. We see so often things through the filter of fear. We are being called to see from God’s point of view, in trust.
“Believe in†for many is a rational assent to propositions or articles of faith. Certainly as Catholic Christians we hold to the Nicene and Apostles Creeds that summarize core beliefs. But in the Bible, “believe in†is not so much knowing things about God as allowing God to know us. St. Paul touches upon this knowing in his great ode to love in the Letter to the Corinthians. “At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known.†Jesus exhorts us to “believe in the gospel.†The gospel or good news of God is Jesus Christ. We believe in a person!
“Repent, and believe in the gospel†are prerequisites for those who follow Jesus. The encounter with Jesus is transformative. Simon and Andrew leave their nets behind. James and John leave their father Zebedee behind. Indeed, Jesus is asking us to make a decision to trust and follow him even when it may entail a break from family and profession. But family and profession are not left behind. We know in the Gospel according to St. Mark, soon after this encounter with Simon and Andrew, Jesus goes to Simon’s house and heals Simon’s mother-in-law of a fever. Jesus takes her by the hand. She gets up and begins to serve. Jesus is not asking us to abandon family but to invite our entire family to experience the nearness of Kingdom of God. We also know these first disciples return to their occupation of fishing during the public ministry of Jesus and after his death and resurrection. St. Paul is a tent maker and pursues this trade as the Apostle to the Gentiles. Family ties can deepen and our work can take on a greater sense of fulfillment when we give ourselves to Christ.
Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John follow Jesus “on the way.†In the Responsorial Psalm we ask God, “Teach me your ways, O Lord.â€
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2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
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4th Sunday Ordinary Time
