Mission Society of the Philippines

Homilies

3rd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: REPENT, THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND

Mt 4:12-23

 

THE CHURCH HAS been experiencing a shortage of workers in God’s vineyard. This reality has led the Church to a precarious state, actually a crisis. In addressing the present crisis, the people involved in recruiting vocations have found out that the call to the religious life or priesthood is no longer appealing to the young because of its demand for a long-term or even lifetime commitment. Young people nowadays seem to want a short-term commitment, and that even in marriage, they want it be seen that way.

The gospel this Sunday brings us once again to the commencement of Jesus’ public ministry. In this Matthaean passage, we are also told about the calling of the two sets of brothers: Simon and Andrew, and James and John.

Let us examine once again the important moments in the calling of these four fishermen from Galilee. First, Jesus must have been aware that his work was something enormous, and therefore, he felt the need of “disciples” to become partners in his mission, in the preaching of God’s kingdom. Second, Jesus first caught sight of Andrew and Simon, and when he walked a little farther, he saw the sons of Zebedee, James and John. In both encounters, he called them. This moment suggests that indeed it was Jesus who called them. And that is true to every vocation. It is God who calls, and not someone other than God. Third, the response of the two sets of brothers was exceedingly radical. On the part of Simon and Andrew, they immediately left their nets, thus, their means of livelihood. On the part of James and John, they immediately left their nets and their father, thus, they abandoned both their occupation and relation.

For those aspiring to enter into the religious life or priesthood, the call and the response of the four fishermen remain the paradigm of one’s vocation. Yes, radical following runs counter to present tendency for short-term commitment. But this is the purpose of responding God’s call: to become a counter-culture; the existence and lifestyle are something counter-cultural. If a “called” person cannot embrace the Christian lifestyles and values, then the calling would become useless. The calling has no sense of purpose.

But how about the lay faithful? How significant is the gospel for them? Certainly, it is very significant! Remember that Jesus called the ordinary people, the fishermen. He did not call the “schooled” and the “learned”. Thus, Jesus continues to call the laity for a mission. Certainly, the work of the preaching of the Kingdom of God is not only entrusted to the few. It is everybody’s business because it is a gargantuan task.

Now, that the number of religious vocation is dwindling, the call for the laity’s active participation is becoming more and more important and necessary. The gospel throws down the gauntlet to the lay faithful. The Church nowadays is in a dire need of lay faithful who, like the four fishermen, are committed to their work. Certainly, the commitment expected of them does not mean that they should leave their work and family. Rather, the lay faithful are called to demonstrate some amount of sacrifice, dedication and love for the Church. 


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