Homily, 3rd Sunday, Ordinary Time, Cycle A - Will you answer Jesus' Call?

Today’s call of the first disciples reminds me about a guy I knew 14 years ago.  He’s a parish member who came to church every Sunday with his family.    When you saw him at Church, he seemed to pretty content, but he only came to fulfill his Sunday obligation.  Even though he was at Mass, his mind wasn’t really there.   The high pressure from his sales job was the focus of all his attention and he was under constant stress.  On his way out of Mass for several Sundays he was invited to attend a Christ Renews his Parish Retreat.    There was no way he had time to go on a retreat for whole weekend.  Jesus was calling him, but he was too occupied to answer the call.

Today we hear about the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry after John the Baptist had been arrested.  Jesus returns to Galilee and probably spent some time in Nazareth with the Blessed Mother out of concern for the John’s imprisonment.  Jesus could have stayed in the quiet surroundings of Nazareth, but instead goes to Capernaum, a much larger city by the sea in the Northern region of the Israel that the Assyrians conquered eight centuries earlier.   It was a region that had fallen upon dark times. This was where the Jews were first invaded and forced into captivity. Isaiah’s prophecy was about an end to the darkness when they returned home about a hundred years later.  The Jews were freed from the darkness through the shining light of God’s salvation.   

Why did Jesus go to Capernaum to begin his ministry?  It was believed that where the Jews first experienced the darkness of captivity would be where God’s light would first shine through the coming of the Messiah.  So in Capernaum Jesus fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy to save the lost sheep of Israel preaching, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Since this area was occupied for so long by the Assyrians there were many Gentiles who lived there.  While Jesus primary mission in Capernaum was for the Jew’s salvation, the many Gentile’s who were in Galilee foreshadowed the Church’s mission to save all nations.  Jesus doesn’t wait for people to come to him.  He goes to people who have experience darkness to bring them the light of salvation.

Jesus seeks help to proclaim the good news by calling on some unlikely prospects, four simple fishermen: Peter, Andrew, James, and John.   Jesus’ invitation:

“Come after me, I will make you fishers of men.”, seems to be a bit weird If you’re a fisherman.  But their response seems even weirder: they all immediately left their livelihood of fishing, and John and James even left their father.  Fishing was a good stable occupation and family was very important. Why would they give up putting money in their pockets and leave family to be “fishers of men”?  They had just met Jesus, so how could they know what that meant?   What caused their immediate response to follow Jesus?  The first is that they personally encountered Jesus.  They didn’t just hear about him; they were right there in His presence listening to his words.   The second was that Jesus called them.   They weren’t seeking Jesus out.  Jesus came to them and called them to follow him. Jesus’ Word came with the power and grace of God. Their immediate response was nothing short of miraculous and was the first miracle in Matthew’s Gospel. 

Why did Jesus call fishermen to be his first disciples?  They weren’t Scripture scholars.  They were probably uneducated and unable to read.  They were simple and humble men. Jesus probably saw some qualities in the fishermen he needed: faith, patience and persistence.  They also needed to be able to weather a storm.   These are a few qualities he may have seen in them.  But whatever else they needed, Jesus provided for them. Jesus doesn’t call those who are equipped.  He equips those who are called.

So when Jesus call us, we will immediately answer like the first disciples?  I suspect many of you have already answered the call since you are here.  You’re going to the Capernaum’s in your lives to be fishers of men and sharing the good news.   We each have unique skills that Jesus can use to reach people.  How are you doing that if you’re going to school, working, raising a family, or taking care of a home?  By living as a Christian disciple among those who don’t know Christ in our schools, workplaces, with our neighbors, or where we recreate.  We can do this by being friends to people who don’t know Christ, and taking time to listen to their joys and struggles.  We can offer them prayers of support, help when appropriate, and be ready to share the Good news when the time is right.

What if you haven’t had that personal encounter with Christ and answered the call to follow him?   Is something possessing you that prevents you from hearing the call of Christ to come follow him?   Do you hear the call, but aren’t answering because you have more important things to do?   The personal encounter with Christ may come when you least expect it.  It may be a time when you are struggling with a problem.  It could be an illness, a job loss, death of loved one, or failure of a marriage or friendship.  These times of suffering may be when you encounter Christ, because you need him.    If you’re struggling why not make some time to personally encounter Christ.  Take some quiet time with Christ in prayer and in reading his Word.  Schedule a time with our priests or deacon for some spiritual direction.  Or possibly plan to go on a retreat.

Well the guy in the beginning of the story did eventually answer Jesus’ call.  He received personal note from friend inviting him to attend the Christ Renews His Parish Retreat.  He took it as sign that God was calling him, thinking it might be able to relieve for the stress.  Reluctantly he went, and was ready to leave if didn’t meet his expectations.  About three hours into the retreat he let his guard and down finally encountered Jesus.   That guy was me.   After the retreat I put Jesus first in my life and answered the call to follow Him.

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We now continue to personally encounter Jesus in the presence of the Eucharist.   As we receive His Body and Blood let’s ask Jesus for the help we need to answer yes to the call to follow Him and help spread the good news of the Kingdom of Heaven