Now, Not Later
“Jesus said to them,
‘Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.’
Then they abandoned their nets and followed him.”Mark 1:17-18
In this Sunday’s readings we hear once again of call narratives but also a call to action. We read of Jonah’s preaching to the Ninevites and his warning of impending destruction if they do not turn from their wicked ways. In the Gospel, Jesus also calls for repentance, not simply to turn from their old ways or to do what they know in their hearts to be right, but Jesus also gives a command — “believe in the gospel.”
In the Greek, the word used for gospel is εὐαγγέλιον, which has come to mean “gospel” or “Good News” as we know it today, but for the Romans it was truly good news. It was a proclamation that the battle is over and that victory has been won. This “gospel” that Jesus brings is not another book to add to the canon of Scripture, but is a living message, a message that brings life, a message that is Christ Himself. The Good News is that slavery to sin has been lifted and death no longer has the final word. But we must come to accept this News, we must come to accept the One through whom this Good News comes and who is the living message itself.
In Mark’s Gospel we come to see that there is a sense of urgency or immediacy in his writing. We will often read “and immediately…” in his Gospel. That is to show that the need for conversion is urgent and that the time is now and not later. Hence when Jesus calls Simon, Andrew, James, and John as we read in today’s Gospel, they immediately follow Jesus, leaving behind everything. They understood that to follow Jesus was the most important thing to do and it was something that could not wait. If you knew that something amazing was waiting for you behind the door, would you leave and come back later to open the door? It would be ridiculous. And brothers and sisters, that is the approach we ought to have to the call of Jesus for us in our lives.
We must answer His call to follow Him now, today. What is holding us back? What are those nets we are still holding on to that keep us from following Jesus? Peter (Simon) and Andrew abandoned their nets, that which symbolized their old life — the life they have come to know, the life that kept them in their comfort zone — immediately because they believed that the life Jesus calls them too is far greater. Yes, it asks them to move outside of their comfort zone, but they wouldn’t be alone. Jesus would be with them. Jesus remains with us today. Brother and sisters, if Jesus has called us, He will not abandon us; He will provide for us and will give us all that we need to live out our call. The time is now, brothers and sisters, to say “yes” to Christ, to abandon our nets, and to follow Him. The time is now, not later.
Click below to watch today’s reflection.
