Jon 3:1-5, 10
1 Cor 7:29-31
Mk 1:14-20

Respond to the Call

Today we begin a continuous reading of Mark’s Gospel that will carry us through a large portion of the liturgical season of Ordinary Time.

The readings for the 3rd Sunday invite us to be transformed by the call of Jesus. In the first reading, Jonah is called by God to set off for Nineveh to preach repentance. The second reading tells us that the world, as we know it, is passing away. The Gospel recounts Jesus’ call of Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John. The message of Jesus heard by his first followers, and hopefully by us, is, “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” Jesus’ pronouncement of the kingdom is a call to repentance by the people of his time, and by us as well. 

The call of the first four apostles is important to reflect on because it helps us to recognize that their call and ours is personal. 

As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men. “Then they abandoned their nets and followed him. He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.

Jesus saw Andrew and Simon Peter. Jesus saw James and John. This was not some accidental choice. Jesus looked at these men, really looked at them before asking them to follow him. It was a deeply personal choice and calling. It was a relational calling. The response to this call was a personal choice as well because they left what was important to them – family, nets, livelihood. (The Samaritan Woman left her water jug. Bartimaeus left his cloak. They left behind what was important to them as they made the choice to follow Jesus.)

What do you have to leave behind to be a committed follower of Jesus? You are called every day to say yes to Jesus’ call to be in a faithful relationship with him. What needs to change in your life to allow your relationship with Jesus to be central? Busyness, pride, prejudice, anger, racism, addiction to food or TV or gambling, apathy, lack of self-discipline, and any number of realities in your life can limit your commitment to your loving, faithful God. Only you know what needs to change. If you are already in a relationship with Jesus, what can you do to deepen it? January is the usual time for resolutions. Now is the time to renew or make new ones so holiness, your relationship with God, can grow daily. Say yes to the call to be in a committed relationship with God!

What is one change that is need for you to be in or deepen your relationship with Jesus?

What is one action that you can do publicly that shows you are a committed follower of Jesus?