THE WORD
FIRST READING: Is 8,23-9.3
There is no gloom where there had been distress. Where once he degraded the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, now he has glorified the way of the Sea, the land across the Jordan, Galilee of the Nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon those who lived in a land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing; They rejoice before you as people rejoice at harvest, as they exult when dividing the spoils. For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, The rod of their taskmaster, you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.
SECOND READING: 1 Cor 1,10-13.17
Brothers and sisters: I urge you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose. For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers, by Chloe's people, that there are rivalries among you. I mean that each of you is saying, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Cephas," or "I belong to Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with the wisdom of human eloquence, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning.
GOSPEL: Mt 4,12-23
Then Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Napthali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: "Land of Zebulun and land of Napthali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee Of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has risen." From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.
He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people.
IN OTHER WORDS
Matthew gives the names of Jesus' first recruits: Simon (Peter), his brother Andrew, and the brothers James and John. The story of Jesus' recruitment is spectacular. First, Jesus' recruitment speech was simple and short — "Come after me, and I will make you fishers ...." Second, the responses of the four were fast and quick.
Rousing speeches and good advertisement arouse people's attention. But Jesus spoke only one sentence. Jesus' invitation must have been spectacular and impactful because the four were immediately drawn to him. They didn't ask questions, clarify expectations, express doubts, or need time to process the invitation. Matthew mentions no gestation period between the invitation and the quick decision to follow. Later in the gospels, we see the disciples not understanding what they were getting into. Doubt and incomprehension abounded. The disciples didn't comprehend Jesus' statement when He told them that "the Son of Man must suffer then rise on the third day" (Mt 16:21). After Jesus' resurrection, apostles on the way to Emmaus thought Jesus would have "brought God's kingdom" (Lk 24:21). Peter didn't know he was to preach to the Gentiles (Acts 10:9-16). The church in Jerusalem met and discussed circumcision of new converts (Acts 15). Such examples indicate that Jesus didn't clarify in detail the disciples' work. What's important is that these folks were willing to give their all.
The quickness and ease by which Jesus recruited his followers was incredible. These men left their professions and their families. Simon and Andrew left their nets, James and John left their boat and father. All followed him immediately. Work and family ties seem the most important attachments for humans. One doesn't easily give up work especially if the job supports and feeds many. Cutting ties from family members is difficult even if temporary. Yet they did and quickly, in response to Jesus' invitation.
The account of Jesus' recruitment is a story of the gradual and incomprehensible ways God deals with God's own beloved. First, after growing up in Nazareth and working there, Jesus moved to the bigger and more affluent Galilee, and ultimately to Jerusalem. He didn't go directly to Jerusalem but instead started from the peripheries and outskirts of Palestine. Second, the recruits were fisherfolks by profession. Why didn't Jesus recruit from more learned professions? Maybe revolutions, be it political or religious, start from the peripheries and those living there, and with simple people. Perhaps, those least knowledgeable, fortunate, or known are more attuned to the good than those who are rich, powerful and in the know. The place or profession may not matter. What's important is that God's invitation is offered to everyone. Whatever status we may have in life, God will not hesitate to invite us.
- Fr. Joey Miras, SVD (Toronto, Canada)
The Word in other words 2017
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
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Production : Fr. Carlos Maria de Guzman, Jr., SVD and Staff of Logos Publications |
| Cover Design : Malou E. Domingo |
| Liturgical Calendar : Fr. Atilano Corcuera, SVD |
| Production Consultant : Fr. Gerardo del Pinado, SVD |
| Scriptural Texts : New American Bible and Daily Roman Missal |
| Cover artwork based on photos by Fr. Bar Fabella, SVD |
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