Catechism Links[1]
CCC 51-64: God’s plan of Revelation
CCC 1427-1433: Inner, ongoing conversion
CCC 1886-1889: Conversion and society
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“The Calling of St. Peter and
by Jacob Willemsz. De Wet, the Elder, c. 1660 |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Jonah 3:1-5, 10
Commentary on Jon 3:1-5, 10
Following his miraculous rescue from the belly of the great fish, the Prophet Jonah is sent to Nineveh, a traditional enemy of his people, the Jews. He is sent to spread the news that the city would be destroyed unless all of the residents of the city repented of their ways. It is not mentioned in this reading, but Jonah was sure he would fail and the city would be destroyed. This reading describes his unexpected success and God’s subsequent redemption.
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9
R. (4a) Teach me your ways, O Lord.
Commentary on Ps 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9
Psalm 25 is an individual lament. The sinful psalmist prays that “your ways” be made known. This request directs us to repentance and ultimately guides us to justice. In the first strophe of this hymn, we hear support for our belief that God answered the prayers of our ancient ancestors. Their trust was justified. The song continues as an individual prayer asking for guidance and salvation.
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Reading II: 1 Corinthians 7:29-31
Commentary on 1 Cor 7:29-31
St. Paul is answering questions put to him by the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 7:1-11:1). In this short passage we see the Apostle's vision that the Eschaton is coming soon, that Christ’s second coming is imminent, to take place before their deaths (“For the world in its present form is passing away.”). His advice here has two levels of meaning. Understood from the perspective of the imminent return of Christ, the members of the community are to rejoice in the coming salvation. “The world . . . is passing away: Paul advises Christians to go about the ordinary activities of life in a manner different from those who are totally immersed in them and unaware of their transitoriness.”[5] Understood in a later period, he is echoing Christ’s urgency to reform, not to delay for “…you know neither the day nor the hour.” (Matthew 25:13).
CCC: 1 Cor 7:31 1619
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Gospel: Mark 1:14-20
Commentary on Mk 1:14-20
It is noteworthy to observe that all of the Gospel accounts show Jesus beginning his public ministry after the active ministry of St. John the Baptist has ended. The “Voice” decreases while the “Word” increases. We see the charismatic power of the Lord in the call of the first disciples from St. Mark’s Gospel. They follow him without inducement beyond his simple invitation to follow him. It is also notable that three of these first four, Simon, James, and John, develop the closest relationships with the Lord of all the disciples.
CCC: Mk 1:15 541, 1423, 1427; Mk 1:16-20 787
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Reflection:
Sacred Scripture places before us the stories of how God calls individuals to his service. In the first reading from Jonah, the prophet has gone through a conversion experience. He has been rescued by God from certain death, and sent on a specific mission – to call the people of Nineveh
The Gospel tells us about the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry from St. Mark’s account. We hear the Lord’s mission unfold in what sounds very similar to the call of John the Baptist, at least at first. “The Kingdom of God
However, we immediately see something amazing. As Jesus walks by the Sea of Galilee he calls to Simon and Andrew who are fishing. Mark does not give us the relationship between St. Andrew and St. John the Baptist that we hear in St. Luke’s Gospel. In Mark we are just told that he calls to them: “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They “left their nets,” they dropped their means of livelihood, essentially the most important things they owned, and followed him. Walking further Jesus encounters James and John, the sons of Zebedee. Again he calls to them. There is no explanation, just “he called them,” and they left their father, their family and followed him.
We begin to see the cost of discipleship in this short story. In no uncertain terms we are shown that the Lord’s most favored disciples did not need to be convinced by rhetoric, or won over by long friendship. They heard the voice of Jesus and left all that was important in their lives, their professions and their families, to follow him.
The lessons we hear today take what we have built during the previous seasons of this year and push it to the next level. We have heard the Lord’s call. Now what shall we do? Our prayer today is that, like those first disciples, we can hear the Lord’s voice and place his mission first, before work and even before family, in our hearts.
Pax
In other years on this date: Memorial of Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr
[1] Catechism links are taken from the Homiletic Directory, Published by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, 29 June 2014
[2] The picture used is “The Calling of St. Peter and St. Andrew” by Jacob Willemsz. De Wet, the Elder, c. 1660
[5] See NAB footnote on 1 Cor 7:29-31
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