Homily for Monday of 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle II
Theme: Repent, and believe in the gospel
By: Fr. Mike Lagrimas
St. Michael the Archangel Parish
Diocese of Novaliches
Homily for Monday January 10 2022
Mk 1:14-20
After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Then they abandoned their nets and followed him. He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.
Today we begin our readings from Mark’s gospel and this will be for the next several weeks. After giving short accounts of Jesus’ baptism and temptation in the desert, Mark describes the beginning of His public ministry. The main content of His preaching is summarized in the following words: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
Then Mark proceeds with the account on the call of the first disciples. They were the brothers Simon and Andrew, James and John. They were all fishermen. When the invitation came, they were working in their boat, mending their nets. At once they left their boats and followed Jesus. They remained fishermen, but what a great difference! Jesus said: “I will make you fishers of men.”
This is what is called ‘metanoia’, a radical change that happened in the life of the disciples. The Lord called them and they left everything to follow Him. They have no idea where they are going or what are the consequences. They simply put all their trust in Him. Despite the many trials and tribulations along the way, they never regretted the decision they made on that day.
Jesus calls us to follow him. We receive His call right where we live and work. He calls us in the ordinary and daily events of our life. When we answer His call to follow Him, a radical change takes place in our lives. The apostles were simple fishermen only. But when they followed Jesus, they became fishers of men for Christ. The same thing happens to us. An ordinary couple, when they follow Christ, is transformed into couples for Christ. A schoolteacher becomes teacher for Christ. A bus driver becomes driver for Christ. A businessman becomes a businessman for Christ. There is a great difference when a person follows Christ, and is aware that he belongs to Christ. Everything in his life changes: his outlook, his thinking, his actions and behavior.
There is the story about a tourist who went to London. It was the time when the famous cathedral was still under construction. The tourist asked a mason. “What are you doing?” The man answered despondently, “Well, as you can see, I am piling up stones to build a wall.” The tourist asked the same question to another worker, and he answered in a jovial mood: “Oh, I am helping build this magnificent building.” Then he asked a third laborer, “What are you doing?” The man stood up with dignity, raised his hands towards the building, and with a big smile said in a loud voice: “I am building a cathedral, the house of God!”
There is a great difference when we are aware that what we are doing is for Christ. That is the beauty of being a follower of Christ. We become God’s children. And we become inheritors of the Kingdom of God! What a joy to be a Christian!
Every day Jesus calls us to follow Him. May our answer be always a resounding and unconditional “Yes” to Him! That will make our life more meaningful, not only to us, but also to every person we meet. Then we are not just followers of Christ. We become also His instruments for the salvation of the whole world.
Fr. Mike Lagrimas
St. Michael the Archangel Parish
Diocese of Novaliches