The Holy Gospel according to Mark (1:14-20)
After John had been arrested,
Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the Gospel of God:
“This is the time of fulfillment.
The Kingdom of God is at hand.
Repent, and believe in the Gospel.”
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 left 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.
Reflection:
This is one of my personal favorite scripture passages since I am a fisherman myself. We know that this passage is about Jesus calling his disciples from their fishing trade, their livelihood, to a new mission in their life. They are to share the gospel and bring people to God, “catching” them for the Kingdom of God, much like they would do to catch fish. Bringing people to God means actively evangelizing, patiently teaching, and leading people to the faith in Jesus, using our God given skills and determination for a spiritual purpose.
Fishing requires patience and perseverance. Like fishing, it requires hard work, knowing where to go (where people are), know how to read the waters (know how to read their body language), using the right “bait” (God’s Word/love), and not giving up even when there’s rejection (when you hook them and they break loose). God has given us the skills to be fishers of men and just like fishing, there are many techniques to hook them. Jesus took their familiar profession and transformed it; they would now use the same effort and skill to “catch” people, not fish, leading them to redemption.
This Gospel focuses on Jesus’ declaration that the “time is fulfilled,” calling for radical repentance (a change of mind/life) and belief in the Gospel (Good News) of the coming Kingdom of God, exemplified by the immediate, life-altering response of Simon, Andrew, James, and John to “Follow me” and become “fishers of men,” inviting listeners to leave their “nets” (old ways) and embrace a new story centered on Christ’s mission to build God’s reign in their daily lives, work, and relationships, transforming the world.
The burden is upon us to evangelize people of little faith and allow them to get rid of their nets and “repent” so they can change their ways. This is called “metanoia” which is a fundamental shift in thinking and living, turning towards our faith and toward God’s vision. Metanoia means to “Believe in the Gospel” and fully investing in Jesus’ life and message.
Therefore, the “Call to Follow” Jesus calls people from their ordinary lives (fishing). “Follow me” means making our life story fit His story, leaving behind what hinders us (our nets, security, comfort).
Action of the Day:
Pray and ask God what Calling have you been avoiding or what else can you do for him?
Audio Reflection:
