The Call of the First Disciples

Today's Reflections

The Call of the First Disciples 

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Mk 1:14-20

¹⁴After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: ¹⁵“This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

¹⁶As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. ¹⁷Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” ¹⁸Then they left their nets and followed him. ¹⁹He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. ²⁰Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.

Reflection:

Proclaiming the gospel of God. At the beginning of his Galilean ministry, Jesus proclaims the good news of God. The good news is the coming of God’s kingdom. It is good news that God is coming to rule over men and women. The coming of God’s rule over humans is good news because God who rules is good, and God desires only the good of men and women. Unfortunately, we do not always regard it good for us that God should rule over us. How often we evade and even contradict God’s will for us! Hence, the proclamation of the coming of God’s rule is accompanied by the exhortation to repent and believe in the gospel.

While Jesus begins his ministry alone, he soon calls the first disciples who will be his companions and collaborators in his ministry. As he calls Simon and Andrew, James and John, he calls you and me today to join him in his mission.

The first disciples left everything to follow Jesus.

How do you respond to his call?