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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.” Mark 1:15–17
Today, as we enter into Ordinary Time, we hear Jesus’ first
proclamation of the Gospel as recorded by Mark: “This is the time
of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe
in the Gospel.” Those words rang true as Jesus began His public
ministry, and they ring true for us today.
Imagine the scene. The Eternal Son of God took on flesh in the womb
of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He grew up in Nazareth with His parents
and learned the trade of carpentry from Joseph. At the age of
thirty, He was baptized by John in the Jordan River and spent forty
days in the desert—fasting, praying, and overcoming the devil’s
temptations. Afterward, He traveled to the Sea of Galilee and began
His public ministry.
Though every moment of Jesus’ life was sacred, the first words of
His public ministry stand out. The long-awaited “time of
fulfillment” had arrived, and He began to proclaim, “Repent, and
believe in the Gospel.” All that had been planned from the
foundation of the world and all that was revealed in the Old
Testament pointed to that moment. All of God’s promises were about
to be fulfilled.
It would be fascinating to go back in time to that moment, knowing
everything we know now about Jesus’ life and mission, and observe
the humble beginnings of the most important activity ever to take
place. The ordinary people whom He called and prepared for such an
extraordinary task are exceptionally inspiring. The many people who
walked by Jesus, not knowing Who He was, magnify Jesus’ humility.
He hid His glory, relying on the power of His preaching and the
workings of grace in the hearts of His disciples—and He continues
to do so today.
Though we cannot travel back to that historical moment, we should
understand that it is a moment that transcends time. Just as Jesus
spoke those words long ago at the Sea of Galilee, He speaks them
anew today. He says to you, “Today is the time of fulfillment for
you!” “Today” is the present moment every day of our lives.
We often miss Jesus’ proclamation to us because we fail to
recognize the extraordinary significance of the Word of God and the
immediacy of God’s call to repentance. We must respond to that call
in the same way that the first Apostles did. Jesus first encounters
Peter and Andrew as they are fishing and says, “Come after me, and
I will make you fishers of men,” and they follow. He then calls
James and John, who also follow. They do not hesitate. Though Jesus
had performed no miracles yet, He had no followers, and was
unknown, these men knew they had to follow Jesus. They did so,
leaving everything else behind.
Reflect today on the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry. Like the
Apostles, do you make an immediate and complete response to Jesus
every time He calls within every moment of your day? What “nets” in
your life hold you back from following Him completely? Are there
attachments, comforts, or distractions that hinder your response?
Do you spend time with the Word of God and in prayer, listening for
His proclamation to you to repent and believe in the Gospel? Just
as He spoke to Peter, Andrew, James, and John, Jesus speaks to you
today: “Come after me.” Do not hesitate to follow where He leads.
Do not let this moment pass by—for He is calling you now.
My divine Lord, as You began Your public ministry, the full
radiance of Your glory was hidden from the eyes of the people of
Galilee. Yet as You spoke, Your words resonated in the minds and
hearts of those who listened with faith. Draw me now, and in every
moment of my life, into this ongoing time of fulfillment. As You
call me to repentance and faith, give me the strength to respond
fully and without hesitation. Jesus, I trust in You.
Amen.
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