DAILY- HOMILY

JANUARY 22, 2012
3RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – B

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

JONAH 3:1-5, 10
The word of Yahweh came to Jonah a second time: "Go to Nineveh, the
great city, and announce to them the message I give you." In obedience
to the word of Yahweh, Jonah went to Nineveh. It was a very large
city, and it took three days just to cross it. So Jonah walked a
single day's journey and began proclaiming, "Forty days more and
Nineveh will be destroyed." The people of the city believed God. They
declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put
on sackcloth. When God saw what they did and how they turned from
their evil ways, he had compassion and did not carry out the
destruction he had threatened upon them.

1 CORINTHIANS 7:29-31
I say this, brothers and sisters: time is running out, and those who
are married must live as if not married; those who weep as if not
weeping; those who are happy as if they were not happy; those buying
something as if they had not bought it, and those enjoying the present
life as if they were not enjoying it. For the order of this world is
vanishing.

MARK 1:14-20
After John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee and began preaching
the Good News of God. He said, "The time has come; the kingdom of God
is at hand. Change your ways and believe the Good News." As Jesus was
walking along the shore of Lake Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother
Andrew casting a net in the lake, for they were fishermen. And Jesus
said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." At
once, they abandoned their nets and followed him. Jesus went a little
farther on and saw James and John, the sons of Zebedee; they were in
their boat mending their nets. Immediately Jesus called them and they
followed him, leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired
men.

REFLECTION
The scripture tells us that Jesus was like us in all things except for
sin. Although anointed and strengthened by the Spirit, although called
by the Father as the Beloved Son, Jesus was nevertheless human. Could
he fulfill his enormous mission by himself? As St. Paul tells us in
his Letter to the Philippians, Jesus "did not deem equality with God
something to be grasped at. Rather he emptied himself and took the
form of a slave, being born in the likeness of men." [Philippians
2:6-7]

Can he do it alone? Jesus did call a number of men and women to share
with him in his mission, later selecting 12 from his many followers to
be the Apostles. Today's gospel reading is Mark's account of Jesus'
early invitation for the men to follow him.

What kind of men did he choose to call? What instructions did he give
them at this moment that would indicate to them exactly what would be
expected of them? We know that these so-called first disciples were
fishermen by trade. Other information in the Gospels lead us to
believe that at least one of them was a married man [Jesus cured
Peter's mother-in-law] and another was known to be a member of the
zealot party [a "son of thunder" – an `activist' to use today's
terminology], and at least these four apparently knew each other as
companions in their trade. We know little else, except that they
became close companions of Jesus for his mission and together with the
others of the "Twelve" they became leaders of the community that was
to become the Church. Yet they had their weaknesses. One would
eventually betray him, and the others, despite their protestations
that they would never leave him, would abandon him when he needed
their support most.

However, Jesus must have seen these men to be people who, with the
strength and empowerment of the Holy Spirit, could be his companions
for his mission. At the last supper, Jesus prayed to the Father for
these people whom he had chosen. He reminded them: "It was not you who
chose me, but I who chose you." [John 15:16] As Jesus was soon to
depart from this world, he prayed that they would be strong and
faithful enough to continue his mission. It was for that that he chose
them and very patiently tried to teach them what it really meant to be
his mission companions: "Follow me and I will make you fishers of
men."

That encounter took place so long ago, but the Lord still invites us,
as his disciples, to be his mission companions. Through the centuries,
the particular works of the mission have increased and developed. Men
and women are still being called to share in the mission of Jesus. As
we hear today's Gospel proclaimed, each one of us can hear the
invitation to be companions of Jesus and offer what we can for the
mission.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Chief Samrose Anyaugo
- Fr. Jonathan, Chris
- Tung-Jou Sheh
- Cecilia Yu
… for the personal intentions of
- Dr. Ugo Anyaugo, Mr. Ogechi Anyaugo, Barr Obinna Okoronkwo, Barr Mrs
Barbs Adaugo Okoronkwo, Mr .Ifeanyi Anyaugo, Mr Chuboy Anyaugo,
Cordelia Anyaugo Kelechi Ozurumba
- Angelo and Lucy
… for the eternal repose of the soul of Annalie. Eternal rest grant
unto them and may perpetual light shine upon them. May they and all
the dearly departed rest in peace.
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Henry Sia Go
- Birthday: Toti P. Ventura
- Wedding Anniversary: Lawrence & Cricket Lesaca
- Wedding Anniversary: Richo & Ria Cabanela
- In Memoriam (+): Carmelita SL Mapa
… for families who are in need of healing
… for world peace and reconciliation.

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers
and for those who need our prayers the most.

Have a good day!

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