Saint Francis of Assisi by Ermes Dovico

GOSPEL PEARLS

Delay is dangerous

Then they abandoned their nets and followed him (Mk 1, 18)

Gospel Pearls 13_01_2020

After John had been arrested, 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." Then they abandoned their nets and followed him. He 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. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him. (Mk 1, 14-20)

Jesus passes by, announces, and calls, beginning with the first disciples. Each of us must respond. Delay can be dangerous, because we are not the masters of time. We can be sure of meeting God only in the present moment, not in the past, which cannot now be changed, nor in the future, which we cannot be certain of seeing. The Christian knows that only two moments of life are certain: now and the hour of our death. Therefore we ask the Mother of Jesus to intercede for us with her Son, now and at the hour of our death.