Readings: Hebrews 1:1-6, Ps. 97:1-2,6-7,9 Mark 1:14-20
“Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.’ And immediately they left their nets and followed him.” (Mark 1:17-18)
- Following Jesus is never an all-rosy ride. It demands letting go, leaving things behind, putting up with many sacrifices, and bearing a painful cross. We learn this from the disciples' behaviour in today’s Gospel passage. When Jesus called them without wasting time, they left their nets and means of livelihood and followed Jesus.
- Why did they need to leave everything behind for Jesus’ sake? The answer to this question is simple: “You cannot serve both God and mammon.” (Matthew 6:24, Luke 16:13). Following Jesus at all demands a certain level of letting go and breaking off from the world. As Jesus would say: “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 16:24-25).
- The rich young man walked away from Jesus in sadness because he could not afford to let go of his wealth to follow Jesus. The world’s riches may bring so much happiness, but if we are not detached from them, they can also bring us as much pain. No matter how much we love the world’s riches, they will still pass away.
- Hence, St. John says: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father but of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 2:15-17)
- Sadly, unlike Jesus’ disciples, who left everything behind to follow him, many ministers of God today seem to be leaving Jesus behind to follow the world. While Jesus invites us to renounce the world, deny ourselves, and follow him, some have found a way to extort others in the name of the Church. Today’s readings call for an examination of conscience.
- What have you left behind to follow Jesus? In other words, what is the cost of your discipleship? What do you have to let go to remain a Christian? If truly you have not left anything behind, it means your faith is a matter of convenience. The danger in this is that you could easily fall away in moments of trials. This explains why some Christians move from one “solution house” to another, not minding if they partake in idol worship. Christianity is not only about what we stand to gain from God; it is about carrying our crosses and following Jesus’ footsteps.
- Some argue that there is nothing wrong with consulting the gods of our forefathers. They claim that there is only one God, and this is the God our ancestors served through various deities. Today’s first reading says: “In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son.” (Hebrews 1:1-2).
- Since we have come to know Jesus, there is no need to repeat the errors of our African ancestors, who never had the privilege of knowing about Jesus. Jesus is the definitive word of God. Avoid syncretism. Just as we cannot serve God and riches, we cannot combine God's worship with idols.
- May God help us return to Jesus, who is the truth, the way, and the life. May God deliver us from the error of reducing and limiting God's blessings to mere material prosperity. May Christians everywhere realise that worshipping God demands living as pilgrims here on earth.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, the apostles left everything to follow you, free us from the worship of idols. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Monday of week 1 in Ordinary Time. Liturgical Colour: Green. Bible Study: Hebrews 1:1-6, Ps. 97:1-2,6-7,9 Mark 1:14-20).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu