Jon 3:1-5, 10; Mk 1:14-20
- Occasionally I will get a telephone call from an elderly and frail lady that I know, who will say: "Paul, I need milk and a couple of other things." So I will take her grocery shopping - - but somewhat reluctantly, because I have a bad back and I know what is going to happen! (You men who have ever gone shopping to the Mall with your wives will know what I mean!) There is something about helping someone else go shopping that is exhausting…I usually pick her up about noon, and we head for the grocery store for the "milk and a couple of other things." But it's at least two hours later before we leave the check-out counter and load up the car. Then this sweet lady will say, "Oh yes, I need to make a quick stop at K-Mart also." Another hour or two later we are on our way again - but not really, because there is always a third "quick stop" to make, which takes still another hour or so. Anyway, about five hours after we started out, we return to her home with her "milk and a couple of other things," and my back is killing me. So whenever the phone rings, and I see from the Caller ID that it is this sweet elderly lady, I am very reluctant to pick up the phone. I can always anticipate what is going to happen. But I go anyway.
We heard in the First Reading how that all turned out: the Ninevites listened and believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth; and God spared them because they turned from their evil ways and repented.
In the Gospel story today we hear that same urgent message. According to St. Mark's Gospel, Jesus began his public ministry preaching with urgency that:
- NOW is the time. - The rule of God is NOW. - Repent NOW.
- Believe the good news NOW.
We can notice another thing about today's Gospel story: Jesus seems to call only the busiest people! Do you think you are too busy at home or work or school, and don't have time to get involved in parish work? You are just the one Jesus is calling today!
- Take a lesson from Peter and Andrew: they were busy at their profession, casting fishing nets, and right in the middle of their work Jesus said, "Come after me."
- Take a lesson from James and John: they were busy at their profession, putting their fishing nets in order, when Jesus "summoned them on the spot."
The four fishermen were busy trying to fill their nets with food to take to the people.
- But Jesus says: now I will fill your nets with people to take to the food!
- and that food for life is Jesus Christ!
- all we have to do is listen to his Call and respond, and we will have food for life!
The cost of discipleship is very high! Remember what happened to Peter and Andrew, James and John? They had to leave everything to follow Jesus!
- What that means for us in the year 2000 is that nothing must get between us and Jesus Christ! There must be no obstacle to our relationship with Jesus! Jesus is the one who shows us the way to the Father!
It is clear from the earlier part of the bible story of Jonah that Jonah was very reluctant to pass on God's word. But just like God did with Jonah, God can do with us: He can use even our own luke warm efforts (even pathetic efforts) in ways that we cannot imagine!- NOW is the time to Believe in the "good news."
What is that "good news"? In Mark's gospel, the "good news of God" refers to the "kingdom," a symbol of God's saving activity. Jesus is saying that God's ways are being made evident in a new way.
- In Jesus' ministry, we see that evidence: sin is forgiven, the power of evil spirits is broken, and all who hear and believe the message of Jesus are welcome at the table of unity [gesture to altar].(1)
Our life of discipleship calls us to "take a new direction" with our lives. If we admit that we are sinners, then we cannot possibly deny that a new direction is what we need on our journey. Remember what Jesus Christ proclaims in St. John's gospel: "I am the way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me" [Jn 14:6].
So our journey to our heavenly Father must go through Jesus [gesture to crucifix].
Our holy eucharist [gesture to the altar] is food for that journey.
In just a little while, as we approach the Lord's table to be nourished, pray to be strengthened in our resolve to become more like the one who calls us.(1)
(1) A thought from Homily Helps, St. Anthony Messenger Press, 1-23-2999
(Permission is granted to use any of the foregoing material for nonprofit purposes.)
Deacon Paul Rooney
Mary Our Queen Parish, Omaha
(Comments to Paul at prooney@uswest.net )