Third Sunday in Ordinary Time: Gospel Reflections B

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."
· The arrest of John is a foreshadowing of Jesus’ same experience in the future.
· “The Gospel of God”: the plan of salvation that God will fulfill.
· Notice that Jesus’ ministry begins with the end of John’s public ministry. John said: “I must decrease. He must increase.”
· “Time of fulfillment”: Jesus is the promised one whom God said he would send as Savior of the world. All the prophecies about him are about to be fulfilled.
· “Repent and believe”: continues the prophetic themes of the OT. But now it is believe and commit yourself to the message Jesus preaches.
· Jesus proclaims that when a person gives oneself to Jesus and to his gospel way of life, God will bring about his kingdom in him/her. How have you experienced this already in your life?
· What is Jesus asking of you now?
· What do we need to repent of at this point in our spiritual journey?
· What aspect of the “gospel” do we need to make more realistic in our life?

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.
· According to John’s Gospel account, this was not the first encounter Simon, Andrew and John had with Jesus. Recall last Sunday’s Gospel.
· Mk’s account of the event is shorter and quicker. Mt and Lk tell us that they experienced the miracle of the marvelous catch of fish.
· Jesus invited them to follow him. Normally, disciples asked a Rabbi if they could follow and learn from him. Jesus shows that in relation to him, he gives the initial invitation of grace. Ours is a response.
· These were the first four to be called. Peter, James and John eventually became Jesus’ intimate inner circle.
· What do you think attracted these men to Jesus?  What attracts you most to Jesus?
· How quickly have we followed the call of Jesus in our life?
· In Mk’s Gospel one is to repent of sin, believe in the Good News of God’s love and follow Jesus. To what extent is this true in your life?
· How is God asking you to respond now to this new invitation?