The Gospel of Mark begins Jesus’ public ministry with
a dramatic shift. After John the Baptist is arrested, Jesus steps forward to
proclaim the Good News. Mark’s Gospel highlights a transition from the
prophetic preparation of John to the fulfillment of God’s plan in Jesus. John’s
imprisonment foreshadows the opposition and suffering that will characterize
Jesus’ ministry, yet it signals the dawn of a new era: the time (Kairos )
has come. This is not merely chronological time (Chronos), but a
decisive moment in salvation of human history where God’s promises begin to
unfold in a unique way.
God Meets us in the Ordinary: It is also important to note that today’s Gospel comes to us at the beginning of the Ordinary
Time, a season in the Church’s liturgical year that celebrates the
rhythm of daily life. It is a time when we are invited to encounter God in the
ordinary, just as the apostles did in today’s Gospel.
Why did Jesus begin His ministry in Galilee? Galilee, often referred to as “Galilee of the
Gentiles” (Isaiah 9:1), was a melting point of cultural and religious
diversity. By choosing Galilee, a place on the periphery, far from the
religious center of Jerusalem, Jesus shows that the Gospel is meant for all,
the Jews and the Gentiles. It is also a profound reminder that God meets us
where we are, even in the ordinariness of our daily lives.
The Kingdom of God: An Invitation to Transformation : Jesus’ first words in Mark’s Gospel are a
proclamation: “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God has come near;
repent and believe in the Good News.” To enter this Kingdom, two responses
are necessary:
§ Repentance (Metanoia): This calls for a change of
direction, of mind and heart; brief, turning away from sin and
self-centeredness and focusing on God.
§ Believe (Pisteuete): This means entrusting
ourselves fully to the Good News, allowing it to transform the way we think, live
and interact with the world.
The
Call of the First Disciples: In this Gospel, Jesus meets Simon, Andrew, and James not in the temple or on a
mountain but by the Sea of Galilee, in the midst of their daily work as
fishermen. His call to them is simple: “Follow
me, and I will make you fishers of men”.
Jesus
does not wait for them to be perfect. He meets them where they are. Their
response is immediate and striking: “Immediately they left their nets and
followed Him.” This encounter reminds us that God calls us in the midst of
our daily routines, and wants to transform our ordinary tasks into
extraordinary opportunities for His mission.
The
Sea of Galilee – A Symbol of Transformation: The
Sea of Galilee, a place of work becomes a place of transformation. For the
disciples, their nets and boats symbolize the familiar and the secure. Leaving
them behind is not just a physical act but a profound spiritual surrender.
Two
Questions for our meditation:
what are the “nets” that hold us back from fully following Jesus? Are we
struggling with attachments to sins, fear, self-image, or even good things? To
respond to His call, we must identify and let go of these nets.
Fishers
of Men - A Mission of Love : To “fish for people” is to draw others out of
waters of sins into the life and love of
God. This mission does not require extraordinary talents, but rather demands
courage, humility, and willingness to go beyond our comfort zones and live
authentically, witnessing to the Gospel. God gives us the grace to accomplish
this mission.
As
we begin this season of Ordinary Time, let us remember that God meets us where
we are and invites us to follow Him. Like the first disciples, may we have the
courage to leave behind whatever holds us back and embrace the mission He
entrusts to us. May we open our hearts to see His Kingdom breaking into our
world, even in the seemingly mundane, and respond with faith, hope and love.
Amen.🙏🙏🙏
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