3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Every time we pick up a newspaper, or turn on the radio or TV these days we are confronted with bad news, much of it of a very distressing nature. It leaves us numb and helpless when many parts of the world are waring with each other as we realise that we cannot do a lot about what is going on we continue to pray for peace in our world. This weekend the readings talk about good news. The prophet, Jonah, in the first reading took a little time to answer God’s call in fact he only did so the second time around. The first time, Jonah packed his bags and ran away to sea in order to escape God’s wishes. However, God did not give up. Jonah was given a second chance and when he accepted the call, he preached with such faith that the people of Nineveh repented. Mark’s gospel times Jesus’ proclamation of the gospel with John the Baptist’s imprisonment by Herod. It was like passing a baton to the next runner in a race. John’s work was completed: he had prepared the people for the Christ.
His preparation accelerated the expectations that the Messiah was coming soon. Repentance was needed to prepare minds and hearts to receive the Messiah. Even so, repentance was thought to be something of the mind, of the will. Just clearing the landscape of the trash of sin did not completely prepare a person to receive and follow Jesus. It is interesting to note how Jesus begins his ministry by announcing good news that “The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe the good news”. What is this good news? Essentially it is that we can come back to the father’s house like the prodigal Son, where a welcome instead of judgement awaits us: The Good Shepherd has arrived. His stated aim is ‘”to seek out and to save the sheep that· are lost” In the Gospel Jesus went to Galilee, preaching God’s imminent kingdom and urging repentance and belief in His message. By the Sea of Galilee, He called Simon and Andrew, fishermen, to follow Him and become ‘fishers of men.’ They promptly did. Next, Jesus summoned James and John, who also instantly left their father and work to follow Him.
This illustrates the compelling nature of Jesus’ call. That meant they were to get up and leave family and friends to go out into the world to proclaim the good news of salvation. We too are called to follow Jesus right where we are today. We are called to repent and to encourage others to do the same. Like Jonah and Peter, we have to make many decisions. sometimes these affect the whole direction of our lives and the lives of others. Whether we are like Jonah or like Peter in our in the way we make our decisions it is important for all Christians to realise that God is always there. He is waiting for us to accept his challenge to change our lives. As Jonah demonstrates, the story isn’t over yet. That all-important decision to answer the call of Jesus to follow Jesus may be made right now today or even tomorrow. For every day is a new beginning, every day is brimming over with opportunities to start afresh. So let us join Jesus in his mission so that others may believe the good news of salvation and hear the call follow me.
Fullerton T 