Monday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
(Hebrews 1:1-6; Mark
1:14-20)
A watershed is a mound of dirt that has been built up to
stop water from running off the land. It
conserves water for the dry season. To speak
of a “watershed moment” is to see a past event as decisive in shaping
history. Like water conservation such an
event has repercussions for a long time afterwards. Today’s gospel describes a watershed moment
in salvation history.
Jesus emphatically proclaims the beginning of God’s rule.
“’The Kingdom of God is at hand,’” he says. John, the precursor, has completed
his mission. Now Jesus will carry out the
project of humanity’s return to the goodness of the Garden of Eden. He will need helpers and calls on robust and
resourceful fishermen. Although it means
starting a new career, they cannot resist Jesus’ magnetic personality. They leave not just boats and nets but their
families to join him in this world-changing endeavor.
We should see ourselves making the same kind of critical
choice. We may not be at a point to
change careers, but always there is need to improve our behavior. We may have to show kindness to people we
tend to ignore at work. Or perhaps we
have to leave behind unhealthy habits like smoking and squandering time on the
Internet. We certainly want to join Peter,
Andrew, James and John in assisting Jesus establish the Kingdom of God.
