I Will Make You Fishers of Men

Reflections for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time:
Jonah 3:1-5, 10/1Cor 7:29-31/Mark 1:14-20

I love this Gospel reading as there is so much 'action' in it. John the Baptist has been arrested. I can only imagine what his followers must have been thinking. They are without their leader, fearing the worst. They turn toward the "Rabbi" John identified for them. Now this Jesus, the one whom John called the "Lamb of God," picks up the Baptist's proclamation and continues even louder! "This is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel." These words compliment the proclamation of Chapter 4 in Luke's Gospel, which tells of Jesus reading the scroll of Isaiah in the temple (Is 61), announcing that He is the fulfillment of the prophecy.

As for the Romans, I am sure Jesus' cry did not go unnoticed. The breaking of the Pax Romana (keeping of the peace) was a major crime--punished by crucifixion. John the Baptist was stirring the pot with his preaching on the immorality of King Herod's family. Despite John's arrest (and ultimate beheading), the voice is not silent. Along comes Jesus--not only calling for repentence--but in addition claims to be the anointed one. It seems as if the governing bodies cannot quiet the voice of God!

Jesus not only speaks out, but as he travels, invites others to "Come after me and I will make you fishers of men." These are dangerous times, yet there is something about Jesus that attracts others so much so that they literally drop everything to follow Him. His life attracts. Truth has a way of doing that!

The invitation to follow as "fishers of men" did not end with Jesus' crucifixion or with the dying out of the Apostles. Today we are to be the voice crying out in the wilderness. We are the disciples called to be apostles--that is--to take the Word out and proclaim it in a way as to invite all to "repent and believe!" Jesus calls each of us by our baptism but it is up to us to respond. What will our answer be? Are we willing to drop everything and place Him at the center of our lives or do we scan our calendars and worry about finding time to squeeze in a quick prayer or Mass? Do we proclaim the Gospel in a way that invites others to inquire of us, "Who is this Jesus that inspires you?" or do we worry about being labeled politically incorrect, "holier than thou," or a "Jesus feak"?

St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) said, "Whoever comes to me, I want to lead to Him." What a wonderful way to live! Reflecting on this, we might ask ourselves:

• Do we live in a way that attracts others to the Gospel message?
• Do our actions, life choices, and speech give life to the Savior who loves us so others may know Him too?
• Do we orient our life's compass to Heaven or are we meandering through life directionless?
• Do we invite others to walk the path of faith with us, including our spouses, children, co-workers, and others, inspiring and encouraging them along the way or do we keep our beliefs private and silent for fear of being challenged?

John the Baptist was not a wallflower. Jesus did not shrink back from the Truth or defer from acting in ways that reflected who he was or what He expected of others. He is our example and teacher--the portrait of unconditional love, mercy, and forgiveness. The disciples, apostles, and great saints of the Church were not shrinking violets, either. They lived  their faith boldly, whether in the quiet works of compassion in the streets of Calcutta as did Blessed Teresa, through prayer and love for others in the horror of the concentration camps of Auschwitz as did St. Maximillian Kolbe, through the dignity of work in the dark days of the depression and war in the footsteps of Dorothy Day, through prayer and contemplation from behind the grille of the cloister speaking words of love as did St. Therese of Lisieux, or through the docility and humility of one crying out to the world embroiled in war to deliver the message of Christ's Divine Mercy as did St. Faustina.

Jesus calls us to be His voice in a world desperate for Truth and Life. What will our answer be? Are we willing to get in the boat, go out into the deep, cast the net, and proclaim the Gospel message?

Let us beg to be filled with the Holy Spirit, so we can courageously go forth to announce that Jesus is our Savior and invite all to konw to Him. The world is begging for a Savior to deliver us from the darkness and distractions that are leading us astray. We have the answer and it is Jesus! Echoing the words of St. Paul (1Cor 9:16): "Woe be to me if I do not preach the Gospel!"