Mk 1:14-20
14After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: 15“This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
16As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. 17Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 18Then they abandoned their nets and followed him. 19He 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. 20Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.
Reflection:
He called them. Jesus begins his public ministry with a call. First, it is a call to repent and believe in the gospel. With this call to conversion and change of heart, Jesus wants people to turn to God, align their ways to God’s will, and surrender their lives to God. Second, it is a call to follow him, to be fishers of men, to be part of his ministry, to be his apostles.
Jesus calls four men to be his first disciples—Simon and his brother Andrew, James and his brother John. No words are spoken by way of their response. But their actions speak for the men: they leave everything—nets, boats, and families—to follow Jesus.
The first disciples are not men of great theological education, with wide social influence, or with impressive social background. And yet Jesus chooses them to be and work with him. The work of Jesus is not in the hands of men and women whom the world considers great and famous, but in the hands of ordinary people like us who are willing to give God our life, our time, and our talents.
What are we willing to let go so we can be sure that we have Jesus in our lives?