Jesus is

Today’s Gospel Text:  Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, 15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel."

16 And passing along by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, "Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men." 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zeb'edee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately he called them; and they left their father Zeb'edee in the boat with the hired servants, and followed him. Mark 1:14-20

Reflection: What Gospel did Jesus preach when he himself is the gospel (good news)?

While preaching the gospel did he preach about himself to the people or was it just a message or some moral or philosophical thought?

The gospel narrative does not explain or give us much in detail about the actual content of Jesus’ preaching except that he proclaimed thus: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel."

We need to first understand that the gospel message cannot be separated from the person of Christ and there is no such thing as ‘gospel values’ if it is separated from the person of Christ.

Jesus Christ is the good news for men of all ages; he is the one who saves us if we acknowledge our sinfulness, our limitations and our weaknesses and turn to him in order to trust him. 

In other words, he is God's plan of salvation for humanity and his sacrificial death on the cross is a proof and assurance. 

Hence he is the one who has to be proclaimed as the savior of mankind and in whom alone men find their salvation. 

Thus in Jesus’ proclamation we find clear indications of him announcing his very  presence as the good news of salvation when he affirms that the kingdom of God is at hand.  

In order to find that salvation one need only to express and live by that aspect of faith which communicates hope and by living in that sure hope, which transforms us, is our salvation attained. 

From this we know that this good news was first proclaimed to Adam after the fall and it is his belief and hope in this saving message that was his salvation: “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel." Gen 3:15

Prayer: My God I hope in your salvation above all things, may I never be ashamed to proclaim you as the Lord and savior. 

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Not Enough

Today’s Gospel Text:   Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net which was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind; 48 when it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into vessels but threw away the bad. 49 So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous, 50 and throw them into the furnace of fire; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.

51 "Have you understood all this?" They said to him, "Yes." 52 And he said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old."

53 And when Jesus had finished these parables, he went away from there, Matt 13:47-53

Reflection: This parable brings out a profound reality of the Kingdom of heaven.

The Gospel that Jesus mandated to be proclaimed to all creation is the net that is cast in the vast ocean, consisting of individuals of the earth. Here we have people of every kind; i.e. of every nation, language, tribe, culture, religious affiliations and color.

From the time of the Apostles the gospel has been preached to people of every kind and only the Lord knows when the net shall be full.

The definite end is sure, when all these people of every kind will be hauled before the great judgment seat of God, with his angels separating the good from the bad.

Surely, the parable has left out those who have not received the Gospel and have not been caught in the fishing net of the gospel. In other words, it discusses the judgment of those who have been hauled by the fishing net. 

Is it the first judgment that Peter the apostle talks about in his letter:

“For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? And "If the righteous man is scarcely saved, where will the impious and sinner appear?" 1 Peter 4:17-18

Can we who believe in the truth of the parable do something about it? Surely, by living a life more dedicated to God, we can be a leaven of influence in reducing the number of wicked who will be prevented from entering the kingdom of heaven.

Prayer: Lord, may I be the kind of fish that is acceptable and may I be found pleasing to you on that day of Judgment.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us