3B Sunday Homily, Mark 1:14-20, January 21, 2024
1. STORY
A FAMOUS General, John, was ordered to take charge of an army that was
losing the war. When the tired and
discouraged soldiers heard who was to be their new general, their attitude
changed completely. It went from
hopelessness to hope, from discouragement to encouragement, and from a sense of
defeat to a sense of victory. Under
General John’s command, the army eventually won the war. (This is a true story of General McClellan,
who during the American Civil War, eventually helped lead the North to victory
over the South).
2. GOSPEL, MARK 1:14-20
A. JESUS CALLS THE FISHERMAN
i) Jesus saw ordinary fishermen, Simon, Andrew, James and John
and invited them to come after him. He gave them a call.
ii) He gave them a purpose. Jesus wanted them to help him by becoming fishers of men.
B. THE FISHERMEN’S RESPONSE
i) They were busy at their work casting their nets into the sea and mending their nets. Despite this, they immediately abandoned their nets.
ii) They followed Jesus not knowing how to do this work, or would they
even like it, or would they be successful at it. They had faith in Jesus as their leader.
3. APPLICATION TO LIFE
A. JESUS HAS CALLED US TO FOLLOW HIM
You may ask when did Jesus call us to follow him. Jesus called us at our baptism to follow him. Not only is baptism a great blessing by making us children of God, brothers and sisters of Jesus with the Holy Spirit as our guide, but it also makes us members of the Church, the family of God. This is a great responsibility. Jesus expects us to help him by working along with him to spread the gospel, the good news, that he loves all men and wants all men to follow him.
B. OUR RESPONSE TO JESUS’ CALL
We must follow the example of the fishermen by doing our best to help
Jesus. We remember that Jesus wants us
to work along with him to spread the good news. Here are two suggestions to help us.
i) We must follow the example of Jesus by being kind and caring when dealing with people. People are more willing to listen when they are treated kindly.
ii) We must tell people of some of the advantages of following Jesus.
They are:
a) Jesus brings us peace and happiness.
b) He helps us to know what is right and what is wrong.
c) He gives us strength to do what is right.
d) He comforts us during our difficulties.
e) He gives us eternal life.
People need the help of Jesus even though they do not know there is such a person as Jesus.
4. CONCLUSION
Just as the soldiers needed an inspiring general to lead them to
victory, too, did the fishermen need Jesus as their leader. They immediately responded to the invitation
to follow Jesus and work along with him. At baptism, Jesus invited us to follow him and
to work along with him sharing the good news that God loves them. Today, Jesus again calls us to work along with
him. We do this by being kind toward
others and by letting people know the blessings that Jesus gives to those who
believe in him.
