The Gospel of Mark begins Jesus’ public ministry with a dramatic shift. After John the Baptist is arrested, Jesus steps forward to proclaim the Good News. Mark’s Gospel highlights a transition from the prophetic preparation of John to the fulfillment of God’s plan in Jesus. John’s imprisonment foreshadows the opposition and suffering that will characterize Jesus’ ministry, yet it signals the dawn of a new era: the time (Kairos) has come. This is not merely chronological time (Chronos), but a decisive moment in salvation of human history where God’s promises begin to unfold in a unique way.
God Meets us in the Ordinary
It is also important to note that today’s Gospel comes to us at the beginning of the Ordinary Time, a season in the Church’s liturgical year that celebrates the rhythm of daily life. It is a time when we are invited to encounter God in the ordinary, just as the apostles did in today’s Gospel.
Why did Jesus begin His ministry in Galilee? Galilee, often referred to as “Galilee of the Gentiles” (Isaiah 9:1), was a melting point of cultural and religious diversity. By choosing Galilee, a place on the periphery, far from the religious center of Jerusalem, Jesus shows that the Gospel is meant for all, the Jews and the Gentiles. It is also a profound reminder that God meets us where we are, even in the ordinariness of our daily lives.
The Kingdom of God
An Invitation to Transformation : Jesus’ first words in Mark’s Gospel are a proclamation: “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God has come near; repent and believe in the Good News.” To enter this Kingdom, two responses are necessary:
§ Repentance (Metanoia): This calls for a change of direction, of mind and heart; brief, turning away from sin and self-centeredness and focusing on God.
§ Believe (Pisteuete): This means entrusting ourselves fully to the Good News, allowing it to transform the way we think, live and interact with the world.
The Call of the First Disciples
In this Gospel, Jesus meets Simon, Andrew, and James not in the temple or on a mountain but by the Sea of Galilee, in the midst of their daily work as fishermen. His call to them is simple: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men”.
Jesus does not wait for them to be perfect. He meets them where they are. Their response is immediate and striking: “Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.” This encounter reminds us that God calls us in the midst of our daily routines, and wants to transform our ordinary tasks into extraordinary opportunities for His mission.
The Sea of Galilee – A Symbol of Transformation
The Sea of Galilee, a place of work becomes a place of transformation. For the disciples, their nets and boats symbolize the familiar and the secure. Leaving them behind is not just a physical act but a profound spiritual surrender.
Two Questions for our meditation: what are the “nets” that hold us back from fully following Jesus? Are we struggling with attachments to sins, fear, self-image, or even good things? To respond to His call, we must identify and let go of these nets.
Fishers of Men – A Mission of Love
To “fish for people” is to draw others out of waters of sins into the life and love of God. This mission does not require extraordinary talents, but rather demands courage, humility, and willingness to go beyond our comfort zones and live authentically, witnessing to the Gospel. God gives us the grace to accomplish this mission.
As we begin this season of Ordinary Time, let us remember that God meets us where we are and invites us to follow Him. Like the first disciples, may we have the courage to leave behind whatever holds us back and embrace the mission He entrusts to us. May we open our hearts to see His Kingdom breaking into our world, even in the seemingly mundane, and respond with faith, hope and love. Amen.
