Monday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 305
Lectionary: 305
There was a certain
man from Ramathaim, Elkanah by name,
a Zuphite from the hill country of Ephraim.
He was the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu,
son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephraimite.
He had two wives, one named Hannah, the other Peninnah;
Peninnah had children, but Hannah was childless.
This man regularly went on pilgrimage from his city
to worship the LORD of hosts and to sacrifice to him at Shiloh,
where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas,
were ministering as priests of the LORD.
When the day came for Elkanah to offer sacrifice,
he used to give a portion each to his wife Peninnah
and to all her sons and daughters,
but a double portion to Hannah because he loved her,
though the LORD had made her barren.
Her rival, to upset her, turned it into a constant reproach to her
that the LORD had left her barren.
This went on year after year;
each time they made their pilgrimage to the sanctuary of the LORD,
Peninnah would approach her,
and Hannah would weep and refuse to eat.
Her husband Elkanah used to ask her:
“Hannah, why do you weep, and why do you refuse to eat?
Why do you grieve?
Am I not more to you than ten sons?”
a Zuphite from the hill country of Ephraim.
He was the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu,
son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephraimite.
He had two wives, one named Hannah, the other Peninnah;
Peninnah had children, but Hannah was childless.
This man regularly went on pilgrimage from his city
to worship the LORD of hosts and to sacrifice to him at Shiloh,
where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas,
were ministering as priests of the LORD.
When the day came for Elkanah to offer sacrifice,
he used to give a portion each to his wife Peninnah
and to all her sons and daughters,
but a double portion to Hannah because he loved her,
though the LORD had made her barren.
Her rival, to upset her, turned it into a constant reproach to her
that the LORD had left her barren.
This went on year after year;
each time they made their pilgrimage to the sanctuary of the LORD,
Peninnah would approach her,
and Hannah would weep and refuse to eat.
Her husband Elkanah used to ask her:
“Hannah, why do you weep, and why do you refuse to eat?
Why do you grieve?
Am I not more to you than ten sons?”
Responsorial Psalm PS 116:12-13, 14-17, 18-19
R. (17a) To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of
praise.
or:
R. Alleluia.
How shall I make a return to the LORD
for all the good he has done for me?
The cup of salvation I will take up,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
R. To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise.
or:
R. Alleluia.
My vows to the LORD I will pay
in the presence of all his people.
Precious in the eyes of the LORD
is the death of his faithful ones.
O LORD, I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your handmaid;
you have loosed my bonds.
R. To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise.
or:
R. Alleluia.
My vows to the LORD I will pay
in the presence of all his people,
In the courts of the house of the LORD,
in your midst, O Jerusalem.
R. To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise.
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
How shall I make a return to the LORD
for all the good he has done for me?
The cup of salvation I will take up,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
R. To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise.
or:
R. Alleluia.
My vows to the LORD I will pay
in the presence of all his people.
Precious in the eyes of the LORD
is the death of his faithful ones.
O LORD, I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your handmaid;
you have loosed my bonds.
R. To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise.
or:
R. Alleluia.
My vows to the LORD I will pay
in the presence of all his people,
In the courts of the house of the LORD,
in your midst, O Jerusalem.
R. To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel 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 left 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.
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 left 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.
Meditation: "The kingdom of God is at hand"
What is the gospel of God which
Jesus came to preach? The word "gospel" literally means "good
news". When a king had good news to deliver to his subjects he sent
messengers or heralds throughout the land to make a public announcement – such
as the birth of a new king or the defeat of an invading army or occupied force.
God sent his prophets to announce the coming of God's anointed King and
Messiah. After Jesus was baptised in the River Jordan and anointed by the
Spirit he begins his ministry of preaching the gospel – the good news that the
kingdom of God was now at hand for all who were ready to receive it.
What is the kingdom of God? The word "kingdom" means
something more than a territory or an area of land. It literally means
"sovereignty" or "reign" and the power to "rule"
and exercise authority. The prophets announced that God would establish a
kingdom not just for one nation or people but for the whole world. The
scriptures tell us that God's throne is in heaven and his rule is over all
(Psalm 103:19). His kingdom is bigger and more powerful than anything we can
imagine because it is universal and everlasting (Daniel 4:3). His kingdom is
full of glory, power, and splendor (Psalm 145:11-13). In the Book of Daniel we
are told that this kingdom is given to the Son of Man and to
the saints (Daniel 7:14,18,22,27). The Son of Man is a
Messianic title for God's anointed King. The New Testament word for
"Messiah" is "Christ" which literally means the
"Anointed One" or the "Anointed King". God sent us his Son
not to establish an earthly kingdom but to bring us into his heavenly kingdom –
a kingdom ruled by truth, justice, peace, and holiness. The kingdom of God is
the central theme of Jesus' mission. It's the core of his gospel message.
As soon as John the Baptist had finished his testimony, Jesus
began his in Galilee, his home district. John's enemies had sought to silence
him, but the gospel cannot be silenced. Jesus proclaimed that the time
is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand. Jesus takes up John's
message of repentance and calls disciples to believe in the gospel--the
good news he has come to deliver. What is the good news which Jesus
delivers? It is the good news of peace (restoration of relationship with God -
Ephesians 6:15), of hope (the hope of heaven and everlasting life - Colossians
1:23 ), of truth (God's word is true and reliable - Colossians 1:5), of promise
(he rewards those who seek him - Ephesians 3:6)), of immortality (God gives
everlasting life - 2 Timothy 1:10), and the good news of salvation (liberty
from sin and freedom to live as sons and daughters of God - Ephesians 1:13).
How do we enter the kingdom of God? In announcing the good news,
Jesus gave two explicit things each of us must do to in order to receive the
kingdom of God: repent and believe. When we submit to Christ's
rule in our lives and believe the gospel message the Lord Jesus gives us the
grace and power to live a new way of life as citizens of his kingdom. He gives
us grace to renounce the kingdom of darkness ruled by sin and Satan, the father
of lies (John 8:44) and the ruler of this present world (John 12:31). That is
why repentance is the first step. Repentance means to change – to change my way
of thinking, my attitude, disposition, and life choices so that Christ can be
the Lord and Master of my heart rather than sin, selfishness, and greed. If we
are only sorry for the consequences of our sins, we will very likely keep
repeating the sin that is mastering us. True repentance requires a contrite
heart (Psalm 51:17) and sorrow for sin and a firm resolution to avoid it in the
future. The Lord Jesus gives us grace to see sin for what it really is – a
rejection of his love and wisdom for our lives and a refusal to do what is good
and in accord with his will. His grace brings pardon and help for turning away
from everything that would keep us from his love and truth. To believe is to
take Jesus at his word and to recognize that God loved us so much that he sent
his only begotten Son to free us from bondage to sin and harmful desires. God
made the supreme sacrifice of his Son on the cross to bring us back to a
relationship of peace and friendship with himself. He is our Father and he
wants us to live as his sons and daughters. God loved us first and he invites
us in love to surrender our lives to him. Do you believe that the gospel – the
good news of Jesus – has power to free you from bondage to sin and fear?
When Jesus preached the gospel message he called others to
follow as his disciples and he gave them a mission – "to catch people for
the kingdom of God". What kind of disciples did he choose? Smelly
fishermen! In the choice of the first apostles we see a characteristic feature
of Jesus' work: he chose very ordinary people. They were
non-professionals, had no wealth or position. They were chosen from the common
people who did ordinary things, had no special education, and no social
advantages. Jesus wanted ordinary people who could take an assignment and do it
extraordinarily well. He chose these individuals, not for what they were, but
for what they would be capable of becoming under his direction and power. When
the Lord calls us to serve, we must not think we have nothing to offer. The
Lord takes what ordinary people, like us, can offer and uses it for greatness
in his kingdom. Do you believe that God wants to work through and in you for
his glory?
Jesus speaks the same message to us today: we will "catch
people" for the kingdom of God if we allow the light of Jesus Christ to
shine through us. God wants others to see the light of Christ in us in the way
we live, speak, and witness the joy of the gospel. Paul the Apostles says, But
thanks be to God, who in Christ Jesus always leads us in triumph, and through
us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the
aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are
perishing (2 Corinthians 2:15). Do you witness to those around you the
joy of the gospel and do you pray for your neighbors, co-workers, and relatives
that they may come to know the Lord Jesus Christ and grow in the knowledge of
his love?
"Lord Jesus, you have called me personally by name, just as
you called your first disciples, Simon, Andrew, James, and John. Help me to
believe your word and follow you faithfully. Fill me with the joy of the gospel
that your light may shine through me to many others."
 A Humble and Contrite Heart |
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Monday of the First
Week in Ordinary Time
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Mark 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.
Introductory Prayer: Lord, I thank you for this time to be with
you. I don’t deserve your close friendship, and yet you offer me the intimacy
of your heart. I trust in your goodness and hope in your infinite mercy. I
love you and wish to give up anything that would keep me from you.
Petition:Lord, give me compunction of heart and the grace of a true
conversion.
1. Prerequisite of the Kingdom: “The kingdom of God is at hand,” “The kingdom
of God is within you,” and “You are not far from the kingdom,” are all
expressions of Our Lord. He came to establish a kingdom, one that would begin
here on earth and continue on into eternity. We build the kingdom within
ourselves by practicing virtue; we allow God’s grace to purify us from
selfishness and vice and to build us up in faith, hope and charity. There is,
however, a pre-requisite for grace to begin and continue to work its ongoing
miracle: acknowledgement of our failings and belief in Christ. We must
“repent, and believe in the Gospel” (Mark 1:15). Am I aware of my constant
need to turn to God and turn from my daily sins? Can I truly say that I’m
striving to overcome my sins and faults so that I can be more like Christ and
closer to him?
2. Interior Sackcloth and Ashes: The type of penance that Jesus
seeks must begin in our interior. When Peter becomes aware of who Christ is,
he falls on his knees and exclaims, “Leave me, Lord, for I am a sinful man”
(Luke 5:8). “Jesus’ call to conversion and penance, like that of the prophets
before him, does not aim first at outward works, ‘sackcloth and ashes,’
fasting and mortification, but at conversion of heart, interior conversion.
Without this, such penances remain sterile and false; however, interior
conversion urges expression in visible signs, gestures and works of penance”
(Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1420). The best “expression in visible
signs” of conversion and penance is our imitation of Christ. The apostles
“abandoned their nets and followed him” (Mark 1:18).
3. Venues of Conversion: In Number 1434 of the Catechism we learn
that conversion and penance are not things we embrace only once or only after
serious sin, by going to confession and then leaving them aside. “The
interior penance of a Christian,” rather, “can be expressed in many and
various ways.” Fasting, prayer and almsgiving are mentioned as venues for
expressing our ongoing conversion. Other more specific ways are “efforts at
reconciliation with one’s neighbor, tears of repentance, concern for the
salvation of one’s neighbor, the intercession of the saints, and the practice
of charity ‘which covers a multitude of sins.’” Does my heart resonate with
these ways, and if not, why not? What could be more important than an
intimate friendship with my Lord and God, with whom I hope to spend all
eternity?
Conversation with Christ:Jesus, my days are booked up with so much
activity and noise that it’s extremely hard for me even to reflect about my
need for conversion of heart. Please help me to turn away from my sins and
bad habits by turning to you and imitating you. Wash me of my sins, and draw
me close to you.
Resolution:I will meekly apologize for having offended
someone without touching on anything negative about that person.
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MONDAY, JANUARY 13, MARK 1:14-20
First Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2
(1 Samuel 1:1-8; Psalm 116)
First Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2
(1 Samuel 1:1-8; Psalm 116)
KEY VERSE: "The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel" (v 15).
READING: After John's arrest, Jesus continued the Baptist's proclamation to repent and believe the good news that God's reign was at hand. The long awaited fulfillment of God's promises had arrived in the person and ministry of Jesus Christ. The response to this good news was a change of heart (Greek: metanoia, "conversion"). Jesus invited the first disciples to be fully dedicated to his mission; there would be no half measures in serving him. Simon (Peter) and his brother Andrew immediately abandoned both family and livelihood to follow Jesus. Another pair of brothers, James and John, partners with Simon (Lk 5:10), also responded without delay. Jesus promised his disciples that they would be his instruments to spread the gospel throughout the world. Later, Simon Peter would tell Jesus that they had put aside everything to follow him. Jesus replied that all who gave up family and possessions for him would receive a hundred times more, as well as life everlasting in the age to come (Mk 10:28-30).
REFLECTING: What is the most difficult thing for me to sacrifice in order to follow Jesus?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, help me to serve you as willingly as the disciples did.
Optional Memorial of Hilary, bishop and
doctor of the Church
Hilary was married and had children (including St. Abra). As he studied the Bible, he was converted by the time he finished the New Testament. He lived the faith so well that he was made bishop of Poitiers from 353 to 368. Hilary opposed the emperor's attempt to run Church matters, and he was exiled. He used the time to write works explaining the faith. His teaching and writings converted many, and in an attempt to reduce his popularity he was returned to the small town of Poitiers where his enemies hoped he would fade into obscurity. However, his writings continued to convert unbelievers. Hilary introduced Eastern theology to the Western Church and, with the help of St. Viventius, fought the heresy Arianism (proposed in the 4th century by the Alexandrian presbyter Arius who affirmed that Christ was not truly divine). Hilary was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1851.
MINUTE
MEDITATIONS
God’s Goodness
Mary
understands, profoundly, where her salvation is coming from—not from her virtue but
from God’ overflowing goodness. If in the future all nations
come to call her blessed, Mary knows, in all humility, that it is because of
what the Mighty One has done for her, and not what she has done.
To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise
‘Repent and believe the Gospel.’Both John the Baptist and Jesus called for conversion and repentance. Both had challenging messages, calling us to think differently, even to live differently. Jesus didn’t seek his followers in the synagogues or among the educated. He called simple hard-working fishermen. He didn’t ask them to go away and study first. He wanted them to be with him, to listen and watch him as he taught and healed among the ordinary people, especially those on the fringes of society. They had to leave the familiar behind, their work, their homes and their families. They would become part of a new radical community, moving around the countryside, not always welcomed, and never settling down. They didn’t hesitate. Jesus’ words must have sounded strange, yet their response was immediate. What is Jesus calling me to today? Can I be as generous and as spontaneous in my response?
January 13
St. Hilary
(315?-368)
St. Hilary
(315?-368)
This staunch defender of the divinity of Christ was a gentle and
courteous man, devoted to writing some of the greatest theology on the Trinity,
and was like his Master in being labeled a “disturber of the peace.” In a very
troubled period in the Church, his holiness was lived out in both scholarship
and controversy. He was bishop of Poitiers in France.
Raised a
pagan, he was converted to Christianity when he met his God of nature in the
Scriptures. His wife was still living when he was chosen, against his will, to
be the bishop of Poitiers in France. He was soon taken up with battling what
became the scourge of the fourth century, Arianism, which denied the divinity
of Christ.
The
heresy spread rapidly. St. Jerome said “The world groaned and marveled to find
that it was Arian.” When Emperor Constantius ordered all the bishops of the
West to sign a condemnation of Athanasius, the great defender of the faith in
the East, Hilary refused and was banished from France to far off Phrygia (in
modern-day Turkey). Eventually he was called the “Athanasius of the West.”
While writing in exile, he was invited by some semi-Arians (hoping for
reconciliation) to a council the emperor called to counteract the Council of
Nicea. But Hilary predictably defended the Church, and when he sought public
debate with the heretical bishop who had exiled him, the Arians, dreading the
meeting and its outcome, pleaded with the emperor to send this troublemaker
back home. Hilary was welcomed by his people.
Comment:
Christ said his coming would bring not peace but a sword (see Matthew 10:34). The Gospels offer no support for us if we fantasize about a sunlit holiness that knows no problems. Christ did not escape at the last moment, though he did live happily ever after—after a life of controversy, problems, pain and frustration. Hilary, like all saints, simply had more of the same.
Christ said his coming would bring not peace but a sword (see Matthew 10:34). The Gospels offer no support for us if we fantasize about a sunlit holiness that knows no problems. Christ did not escape at the last moment, though he did live happily ever after—after a life of controversy, problems, pain and frustration. Hilary, like all saints, simply had more of the same.
LECTIO DIVINA:
MARK 1,14-20
Lectio:
Monday, January 13, 2014
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
Father of love, hear our prayers.
Help us to know your will
and to do it with courage and faith.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Father of love, hear our prayers.
Help us to know your will
and to do it with courage and faith.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading - Mark 1,14-20
After John had been arrested, Jesus went into Galilee. There he proclaimed the gospel from God saying, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent, and believe the gospel.'
As he was walking along by the Lake of Galilee he saw Simon and Simon's brother Andrew casting a net in the lake -- for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, 'Come after me and I will make you into fishers of people.' And at once they left their nets and followed him.
Going on a little further, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John; they too were in their boat, mending the nets. At once he called them and, leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the men he employed, they went after him.
After John had been arrested, Jesus went into Galilee. There he proclaimed the gospel from God saying, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent, and believe the gospel.'
As he was walking along by the Lake of Galilee he saw Simon and Simon's brother Andrew casting a net in the lake -- for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, 'Come after me and I will make you into fishers of people.' And at once they left their nets and followed him.
Going on a little further, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John; they too were in their boat, mending the nets. At once he called them and, leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the men he employed, they went after him.
3) Reflection
• After John had been arrested, Jesus went to Galilee. There he proclaimed the Gospel of God. John was arrested by King Herod for having denounced the immoral behaviour of the King (Lk 3, 18-20). The imprisonment of John the Baptist did not frighten Jesus! On the contrary, all the opposite! In that he saw a symbol of the coming of the Kingdom. And today, would it be that we know how to read the facts of politics and of urban violence to announce or proclaim the Good News of God?
• Jesus proclaimed the Good News of God. The Good News is of God not only because it comes from God, but also and, above all, because God is its content. God, himself, is the greatest Good News for human life. He responds to the deepest aspiration of our heart. In Jesus we see what happens when a human person allows God to enter and to reign. This Good News of the Kingdom of God proclaimed by Jesus has four different aspects:
a) The time is fulfilled, has arrived. For the other Jews the time was not as yet fulfilled, had not arrived. There was still much missing for the coming of the Kingdom. For the Pharisees, for example, the Kingdom could be attained only when the observance of the Law would be perfect. Jesus had another way of reading the facts. He says that the time is fulfilled, it has arrived.
b) The Kingdom of God is close at hand! For the Pharisees the coming of the Kingdom depended on their efforts. It would have arrived only after they had observed the Law. Jesus says the contrary: “The Kingdom is close at hand”. It is already here! Independently of the efforts made! When Jesus says: “The Kingdom is close at hand”, he does not mean to say that the Kingdom has been reached only at that moment, but rather that it was already there. What everybody was expecting was already present in their life, and they did not know it, they did not perceive it (cf. Lk 17, 21). Jesus perceived it! Because he saw and read reality with a different look And it is in this hidden presence of the Kingdom in the midst of the people that Jesus reveals himself to the poor of his land. And this is the seed of the Kingdom which will receive the rain of his Word and the warmth of his love.
c) Convert yourselves! The exact meaning is change the way of thinking and of living. In order to be able to perceive the presence of the Kingdom in life, the person should begin to think and to live in a diverse way. The person should change way of life and find another way of living together with others! He/she should leave aside all legalism of the teaching of the Pharisees and allow the new experience of God to invade his/her life and give him/her a new way of looking so as to read and understand the facts in a new way.
d) To believe in the Good News! It was not easy to accept this message. It is not easy for us to begin to think in a different way from all that we have learnt, since we were small children. This is possible only through an act of faith. When someone give a diverse news, it is difficult to accept it, and it is accepted only if we trust the person who gives the news. And thus, you will say to others: “You can accept! I know this person! This person does not deceive! You can trust him/her! We can trust Jesus!
• The first objective of the proclamation of the Good News is that of forming a community. Jesus goes by, he sees and he calls. The first four who were called, Simon, Andrew, John and James, listen, abandon everything and follow Jesus in order to form a community with him. It seems to be love at first sight! According to Mark’s account, everything takes place in the first encounter with Jesus. Comparing with the other Gospels, people perceive that the four already knew Jesus (Jn 1, 39; Lk 5, 1-11). They had already had the opportunity to live with him, to see him help the people and to listen to him in the Synagogue. They knew how he lived and what he thought. The call was not something of one moment, but a question of repeated calls and invitations, of progressing and of retreating. The call begins and begins again always anew! In practice, it coincided with the living together with Jesus for two or three years, since the time of the Baptism until the moment when Jesus went to Heaven (Acts 1, 21-22). And then, why does Mark present this as something sudden, an act of love at first sight? Mark thinks in the ideal: the encounter with Jesus should bring about a radical change in our life!
• After John had been arrested, Jesus went to Galilee. There he proclaimed the Gospel of God. John was arrested by King Herod for having denounced the immoral behaviour of the King (Lk 3, 18-20). The imprisonment of John the Baptist did not frighten Jesus! On the contrary, all the opposite! In that he saw a symbol of the coming of the Kingdom. And today, would it be that we know how to read the facts of politics and of urban violence to announce or proclaim the Good News of God?
• Jesus proclaimed the Good News of God. The Good News is of God not only because it comes from God, but also and, above all, because God is its content. God, himself, is the greatest Good News for human life. He responds to the deepest aspiration of our heart. In Jesus we see what happens when a human person allows God to enter and to reign. This Good News of the Kingdom of God proclaimed by Jesus has four different aspects:
a) The time is fulfilled, has arrived. For the other Jews the time was not as yet fulfilled, had not arrived. There was still much missing for the coming of the Kingdom. For the Pharisees, for example, the Kingdom could be attained only when the observance of the Law would be perfect. Jesus had another way of reading the facts. He says that the time is fulfilled, it has arrived.
b) The Kingdom of God is close at hand! For the Pharisees the coming of the Kingdom depended on their efforts. It would have arrived only after they had observed the Law. Jesus says the contrary: “The Kingdom is close at hand”. It is already here! Independently of the efforts made! When Jesus says: “The Kingdom is close at hand”, he does not mean to say that the Kingdom has been reached only at that moment, but rather that it was already there. What everybody was expecting was already present in their life, and they did not know it, they did not perceive it (cf. Lk 17, 21). Jesus perceived it! Because he saw and read reality with a different look And it is in this hidden presence of the Kingdom in the midst of the people that Jesus reveals himself to the poor of his land. And this is the seed of the Kingdom which will receive the rain of his Word and the warmth of his love.
c) Convert yourselves! The exact meaning is change the way of thinking and of living. In order to be able to perceive the presence of the Kingdom in life, the person should begin to think and to live in a diverse way. The person should change way of life and find another way of living together with others! He/she should leave aside all legalism of the teaching of the Pharisees and allow the new experience of God to invade his/her life and give him/her a new way of looking so as to read and understand the facts in a new way.
d) To believe in the Good News! It was not easy to accept this message. It is not easy for us to begin to think in a different way from all that we have learnt, since we were small children. This is possible only through an act of faith. When someone give a diverse news, it is difficult to accept it, and it is accepted only if we trust the person who gives the news. And thus, you will say to others: “You can accept! I know this person! This person does not deceive! You can trust him/her! We can trust Jesus!
• The first objective of the proclamation of the Good News is that of forming a community. Jesus goes by, he sees and he calls. The first four who were called, Simon, Andrew, John and James, listen, abandon everything and follow Jesus in order to form a community with him. It seems to be love at first sight! According to Mark’s account, everything takes place in the first encounter with Jesus. Comparing with the other Gospels, people perceive that the four already knew Jesus (Jn 1, 39; Lk 5, 1-11). They had already had the opportunity to live with him, to see him help the people and to listen to him in the Synagogue. They knew how he lived and what he thought. The call was not something of one moment, but a question of repeated calls and invitations, of progressing and of retreating. The call begins and begins again always anew! In practice, it coincided with the living together with Jesus for two or three years, since the time of the Baptism until the moment when Jesus went to Heaven (Acts 1, 21-22). And then, why does Mark present this as something sudden, an act of love at first sight? Mark thinks in the ideal: the encounter with Jesus should bring about a radical change in our life!
4) Personal questions
• A political fact, the imprisonment of John, led Jesus to begin the proclamation of the Good News of God. Today, do the facts of politics and of the police, exercise any influence in the proclamation of the Good News that we present to people?
• “Convert yourselves! Believe in the Good News!” How is this taking place in my own life?
• A political fact, the imprisonment of John, led Jesus to begin the proclamation of the Good News of God. Today, do the facts of politics and of the police, exercise any influence in the proclamation of the Good News that we present to people?
• “Convert yourselves! Believe in the Good News!” How is this taking place in my own life?
5) Concluding prayer
For you are Yahweh,
Most High over all the earth,
far transcending all gods. (Ps 97,9)
For you are Yahweh,
Most High over all the earth,
far transcending all gods. (Ps 97,9)
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