Hebrews 1:1 - 6;
Psalm 97: 1;
Mark 1 : 14-20 Full Readings
Blessed William CarterThe Kingdom of God is Here
Brethren, the Baptism of Jesus concludes the Christmas season and commences the public ministry of Jesus. Today we start Ordinary Time. In this period we move with Jesus, pondering and reflecting on his deeds, teachings and on his way of life. At the beginning of this Ordinary Time, we see Jesus proclaiming that the kingdom of God is at hand, and tells us to repent and believe in the Gospel (Jesus himself). Brethren, the content and preaching of Jesus is the kingdom of God (justice, peace, joy and do forth), and so we have to repent and believe in Jesus, the true Gospel, so that we may live in it. On the other hand, we see Jesus calling his first disciples, forming a new community which will help him in his mission. Jesus cannot do everything by himself, though he is capable, he calls us and invites us today to participate in his mission as he called his disciples. Are we ready to participate in the mission of Jesus as we start this Ordinary Time?
The first reading tells us who Jesus, the proclaimer of the kingdom of God, is. He is the exalted one. The exalted place of Jesus Christ in our time is highlighted today. Jesus is all that matters in our life now, because He has replaced the intercessory roles of the judges and prophets of old. He is the choice of God and the Son the Father has begotten. He ranks higher than the angels. He is the brightness of God’s glory and the exact likeness of God’s own being sustaining the universe with His powerful Word. Jesus is the One that the Father told the world to listen to. This is why He called the apostles to follow Him. We must in all things cling to Jesus, who is all that we need, and follow Him in all His ways.
If we cling to Jesus, he will surely lead us to the kingdom. There are two conditions for the kingdom - repent and believe. In announcing the good news, Jesus gave two explicit things each of us must do in order to receive the kingdom of God: repent and believe. When we submit to Christ's rule in our lives and believe the gospel message, the Lord Jesus gives us the grace and power to live a new way of life as citizens of his kingdom. He gives us grace to renounce the kingdom of darkness ruled by sin and Satan, the father of lies (John 8:44) and the ruler of this present world (John 12:31). That is why repentance is the first step.
Repentance means to change - to change my way of thinking, my attitude, disposition, and life choices so that Christ can be the Lord and Master of my heart rather than sin, selfishness, and greed. True repentance requires a contrite heart (Psalm 51:17) and sorrow for sin and a firm resolution to avoid it in the future. The Lord Jesus gives us grace to see sin for what it really is - a rejection of his love and wisdom for our lives and a refusal to do what is good and in accord with his will. His grace brings pardon and help for turning away from everything that would keep us from his love and truth.
As we repent and believe in Jesus, we are also invited to be fishers of people as Jesus told his first disciples in the Gospel today. Jesus speaks the same message to us today: we will "catch people" for the kingdom of God if we allow the light of Jesus Christ to shine through us. God wants others to see the light of Christ in us in the way we live, speak, and witness the joy of the gospel. Paul the Apostles says, But thanks be to God, who in Christ Jesus always leads us in triumph, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing (2 Corinthians 2:15).
Are you ready to repent and believe the Gospel and then become a disciple of Jesus and participate in his mission of bringing everyone to the kingdom?
Let us Pray
Lord Jesus, you have called me personally by name, just as you called your first disciples, Simon, Andrew, James, and John. Help me to believe your word and follow you faithfully. Fill me with the joy of the gospel that your light may shine through me to many others. Amen
Be blessed
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