Jijo Kandamkulathy, CMF
Claretian Publications, Macau
Mk 1:14-20
3RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B
Today’s gospel narrates the call of the disciples. As he begins his ministry, Jesus is aware that his mission is not one to be done alone. He recruits a team. He calls people who were immersed in their work and gives them a new dream and a new purpose. To Simon and Andrew, he gives a dream of catching people instead of fish. They leave their trade and follow him. Levi was a despised anti-national. He is given a dignity and a purpose. Was their conversion permanent? Did they get disappointed? A close biographical survey of these disciples would take us to understanding how they rejoiced and failed in their mission.
At the time of the multiplication of the bread, the disciples grew into such prominence that they too wanted to make Jesus a king (John 6:15). They were apprenticed and sent on an internship in the preaching ministry, and they reported success (Luke 10:17). They rejoiced when even evil spirits obeyed them. On his final journey to Jerusalem, they also hatched plans on who would take what positions in the ministry of Jesus when he became king (Luke 22:24). They also rejoiced when they found that they were the closest circle of Jesus to whom the meaning of the parables and the mysteries of the Kingdom were explained intimately. When they inquired about their remuneration, they were still in good spirits to hear that they would get their remuneration in the next world (Mark 10:30).
They also got ridiculed when they were not able to cast out the evil spirits (Matthew 17:19). They were scared when they could not face the turbulent sea. They had even lost their visions to recognize Jesus. One betrayed him, another denied him, and others ran away when Jesus was arrested. They were dispersing and some going back to their old trade. Peter, who was particularly given a dream to become a “fisher of people,” and be the rock on which to build the Church, would be the very first to return to his old trade and say, “I am going fishing” (John 21:3). The rest of the bunch followed suit.
What is remarkable in all these stories of successes and failures is that Jesus did not try to replace them with more efficient ones or courageous ones. He just kept trusting them! He taught them a loving lesson whenever they faltered. When they were taking roads contrary to divine plans, he brought them back gently sometimes with a compassionate look, and sometimes with a mild reprimand.
It is surprising to note that for a global project, Jesus appears to be making a weak foundation. But Jesus was always right. He chose people through whom the Kingdom could grow. When he would need more hands, he would call people needed for the situation. He calls Stephen to be the first martyr, while Paul is called to spread the seeds of the kingdom far and wide in the Roman empire.
He keeps calling people to be part of his Kingdom project, even today. He does not change us when he recruits, rather he lets us discover him gradually, and the fascination for him to get into a conversion to proclaim him and even give one’s life for him. Peter who was afraid and timid would later get fascinated by the risen Christ and offer his life for him! Jesus does not seem concerned about the ineligibility of the candidates. All are children of God and everyone is eligible for his Kingdom. Those who follow him, he gently enchants to the beauty of his love.
He calls all, but many are unwilling to leave their trade and security to follow Christ.
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