DAILY- HOMILY

11 January 2016

Weekday, 1st Week in Ordinary Time 

Green.             1 Sm 1:  1 – 8.          Mk 1:  14 – 20.     

Gospel  Reading:       Mk 1: 14 – 20

After John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee and began preaching the Good News of God. He says, "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 Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net in the lake, for they were fishermen.  And Jesus said, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people."  At once they left their nets and followed him.  Jesus went a little farther and saw James and John, the sons of Zebedee; they were in their boat mending their nets. Immediately, Jesus called them and then followed him, leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men.

Reflection

The Gospel begins with the ministry of John the Baptist to prepare "the way of the Lord."   And immediately after Jesus was baptized by John and after he stayed forty days in the desert and was tempted by Satan, Jesus begins his public ministry, "preaching the Good News of God."

Considering that "preaching the Good News of God" must continue even after his lifetime on earth, Jesus needed followers to continue his mission.

Today's Gospel reading presents the barest requirements to be a follower of Christ: he calls and the one called replies "yes" and follows.

His first followers were simple fishermen, two sets of brothers, Simon and Andrew, James and John. Jesus saw them fixing their boats and nets and invites them to be with him to "fish for people." And immediately, without any hesitation, farewells and any other preparations, they leave their boats and nets, father and families and follow Jesus.

We do not know why Jesus chose simple fishermen as his first disciples: could be something about fishermen becoming fishers for people!  

Later Jesus would see a tax collector sitting in his office and he will tell Levi, "'Follow me.' And Levi got up and followed him.  As simple as that.

In the Gospel of John, his first followers were originally disciples of John. "On the following day John was standing there again with two of his disciples. As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and said, 'There is the Lamb of God.'  On hearing this, the two disciples followed Jesus" and spent the rest of the day with him. Andrew was one of the two who followed Jesus at John's invitation: Andrew then invites his brother Simon to join him.  Subsequently Jesus calls Philip who then invites his friend Nathanael to join him with Jesus.

Until today Jesus calls men and women from all stations and ages in life to follow him in "preaching the Good News," especially in the various ministries of the Church.

We pray that we may be generous in following God's call and the Lord of the harvest will continue calling many to his service. 

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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