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The First Sunday after Danaha (EPIPHANY)
by Rev. Fr. Dr. Joy Pyngolil, Florida
Gospel Reading: St. Matthew 4: 12 – 22
The reading for this Sunday gives us the great commission: "I will make you
fishers of men". Christ's mission was to attract people to the "Kingdom of
Heaven." In fact he made some "fishermen fishers of men" and you and me are
part of that mission with a commission to "be fishers of men." The ministry of
the church is to become real fishers of men. I would like to focus on three
things: (a) Jesus' conviction and the mode of his ministry, (b) the category of
people he elected for the mission and (c) the implication of His call.
Let's see how did he start his mission. Jesus started his mission only after
John the Baptist was imprisoned. He started it late to avoid confusion among
people "who is who?" He was not competing but complimenting. Jesus himself
participated in the preparatory mission of John the Baptist. Jesus was
convinced of his calling, ( didn't you know that I had to be in my father's
house, Lk.3:49). John the Baptist witnessed him and God the Father confirmed
His calling "this is my Son." In spite of all His awareness of his earthly
ministry, Jesus took a wise decision to begin His ministry. Foreseeing the
danger in the city he went into the country side. He sought only simple hard
working people, not wise men, professionals, priests or politicians or wealthy
people.
John the Baptist, the fiery preacher with many supporters, who prepared the way
for Messiah, was imprisoned by authorities. Hearing this news Jesus made a
retreat- a retreat to a quite place to gather simple sincere trustworthy
people. Fishermen, support each other and care for one another. They don't
critique but help each other to accomplish their goal. He did not go to
Jerusalem for political support or to the tetrarch to confront, but humbly went
with his mission a remote place. It is indicative of the evils of political
authority. Absolute power is blind and kills justice. [John the Baptist was
imprisoned and later killed because he stood for justice in front of spineless
worm who happened to be on the throne.]
Seeing two active brothers, He invited them for a mission. Jesus used
their "vocational identity" to confer on them a new vocation- "fishers of men."
I 'm sure these fishermen were not fishing for fun and make aquariums. They did
bring their fish to the shore and used them for food. Fisher men gathers fish
in nets, bring them from the wide sea, and use them for the benefit of others.
Coming ashore the fish is dead. Christ's commission to us (Church) is to gather
men (humans) from the seas of wickedness to ashore dead- dead to sins and this
worldly attitudes and prepare them for better service of God's creation.
Implication for our personal Lives: (a) have conviction about our calling, yet
be prudent, (a) gather only trainable, trustworthy and hard working people to
embark on any mission; (c) our calling is to make progressive changes in the
community.
May His Holy Spirit guide us to have the conviction of our calling.
See Also:
Sermons, Bible Commentaries and Bible Analyses for the 1st Sunday after Denaha (Baptism of our Lord)
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