1 Sm 1:1-8
Psalm 116:12-13, 14-17, 18-19
Mark 1 : 14-20 Full Readings
Saint Gregory of NyssaThe Kingdom of God is Here
Brethren, Christmas time is over, Jesus has been baptised and his baptism marked the beginning of public ministry because through his baptism he received the power of the Holy Spirit, the divine confirmation from heaven as a Son of God in order that all may believe in him and in his works. Now Jesus is starting his mission, the mission which he picked from John the Baptist after he has been arrested according to Mark's gospel. But as we see in today's gospel, before Jesus began his mission, he chose his disciples and today he calls the first disciple. These disciples would stay with Jesus, learn from him all that concerns the kingdom, and later he would commission them to go out to the world to proclaim the good news. Jesus calling his first disciples, formed a new and first Christian 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?
Ordinary Time which we start today, is a period when move with Jesus, pondering and reflecting on his deeds, teachings and on his way of life, and then take part in his mission through our way of life, actions and deeds as his disciples did. But which mission are going to take part in? it is spreading the kingdom of God. 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). The content and preaching of Jesus is the kingdom of God. This kingdom of God is justice, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17), it is the good news of peace (restoration of relationship with God - Ephesians 6:15), of hope (the hope of heaven and everlasting life - Colossians 1:23 ), of truth (God's word is true and reliable - Colossians 1:5), of promise (he rewards those who seek him - Ephesians 3:6)), of immortality (God gives everlasting life - 2 Timothy 1:10), and the good news of salvation (liberty from sin and freedom to live as sons and daughters of God - Ephesians 1:13).
There are two conditions for receiving and living in this 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.
To believe is to take Jesus at his word and to recognize that God loved us so much that he sent his only begotten Son to free us from bondage to sin and harmful desires. God made the supreme sacrifice of his Son on the cross to bring us back to a relationship of peace and friendship with himself. He is our Father and he wants us to live as his sons and daughters. God loved us first and he invites us in love to surrender our lives to him. Do you believe that the gospel -the good news of Jesus - has power to free you from bondage to sin and fear?
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? We all have our part to fill in Jesus' mission whether young, middle age, old, tired old people, busy parents, lively youngsters; each of us can make a unique contribution especially if Jesus has chosen us himself. Ask yourself, what does Jesus want ME to do in his family?
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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