Mark 1,14-20.
Today’s gospel reading begins with the arrest of John the Baptist, which prefigures Jesus’ own arrest, later. John was “handed over” which is Mark’s preferred verb to describe Jesus’ arrest, too (Mk 15,1).
John has set the stage for Jesus, who begins his ministry, in Galilee, by preaching the gospel, “the good news from God,” or the God-news. It reveals to Israel that God’s promises in the Old Testament are now being fulfilled in the person and mission of Jesus Christ, in whom the kingdom of God is being made visibly and tangibly present. The kingdom of God is the breaking in on the world of God’s power, love, and peace, to replace the reign of sin, selfishness, and fear, which obtained before Jesus’ coming. Mark is the only evangelist to use the term “gospel” (9 times), in his writing.
Repentance, which is a complete turnaround of the direction, the values, the goals of our lives. Faith in Jesus Christ is the appropriate responses to the in-breaking of God’s Kingdom, in Jesus.
Simon and Andrew are called as they cast their nets in the lake, and James and John are called, as they are mending their nets in their boat. The first pair leave their nets (their livelihood) immediately and follow Jesus, and the second pair, when called, immediately leave their father (relative), and his hired labourers (fellow workers), behind.
Disciples, usually, sought out a good teacher. Here the initiative is with Jesus. He seeks them out and calls them. To follow him as disciples means leaving behind familiar people and things. To respond to his call is to begin to live a new life; a change of relations with their families is singled out by Mark. Three of these, Peter, James, and John became a core group, present with Jesus in the key moments of his life: at the Transfiguration, and in Gethsemane. Being a disciple will present them with many costly challenges down the road.
Their call has two stages: to follow him, to get to know him, form a relationship with him, and to become fishers of men especially when he goes back to the Father.
He calls each of us, too, in Baptism and Confirmation to a special relationship with Him, as His adopted sons and daughters. We also have a God-given mission in life. Saint John Henry Newman reminds each of us that “God has called me to do Him some definite service; He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another…” Do you know your mission, the “definite service” God has called you to do?
By reading, reflecting, and meditating on the gospels, we appreciate the good news that Jesus is for us.
Mark uses the word “ Gospel” eight times in 1,1,14,15; 8,35; 10,29; 13,10; 14,9; 16,15. It would be a very fruitful exercise to look up these references and note the people of whom or to whom they refer, and what were the occasions on which this term was used.
Why is the gospel story good news for you? Have you ever shared you love for the gospel with anyone?
What would you have to leave in order to follow Jesus?
Fr Geoff O’Grady