Monday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Today the reading is the call of the apostles from the Gospel of Mark. When I was reflecting on the reading, a song I learned long ago came to mind. “I heard the Lord call my name listen close you’ll hear the same. Take my hand and we are glory bound.” These lines remind me that each of us have a particular call to follow Christ, however it is when we follow Him and serve together that we are best able to give God glory.
In the gospel reading, Jesus calls the apostles and says, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Mark 1: 17) Jesus calls each of them, but he calls them in pairs. He calls Simon and Andrew. He calls James and John. And together the men left and “followed him” (Mark 1: 18) Jesus had come to Galilee “proclaiming the Gospel of God.” (Mark 1: 14) He knew that He would need others to work with Him to help spread the Good News. Jesus calls the disciples in twos because He knows that when people share their individual gifts in support of a common mission then the goal is more likely to be achieved. The togetherness of following Jesus also allows those working together to help one another recognize the gifts that they have been given, so they can be used for the common good. Although Jesus calls each person by name, He calls each one to become part of a community- His community- the Body of Christ. In our togetherness, we remind each other that Jesus is calling and encourage each other to listen for His call. Then it is together that we follow Him to “proclaim the Gospel of God.” (Mark 1: 15)
My husband and I just recently returned home from Nicaragua where we accompanied a group of students from the University of Dayton on a medical mission trip. Each of the people who went on the trip was inspired (called) to be a part of this project. Each person had gifts and talents that he or she brought to share. It was with the support of the UD students- ones that did the translating, ones that took vital signs, others that helped dispense the medication prescribed, others that taught good dental hygiene to the children- that allowed my husband and me to share our gifts as physicians to provide medical care to the people that we served. It was together that we were able to become the Hands, Feet and Face of Christ for the people we encountered. In a real way, we were the many parts of the Body of Christ bringing about the kingdom of God. The success of our mission could not be accomplished without every person and the gifts that they shared. Nobody was more important and the gifts shared were equally vital to our purpose. Because we supported each other through our gifts working as a team, we not only brought better health to our brothers and sisters, but we gave God glory as well.
In our day to day living, we are called as well. Every day Jesus calls us to think, talk and act in certain ways. We must stay attentive to how and where Jesus is calling us to use our gifts. Sometimes it is through family, friends, or sometimes strangers that we are able to hear the voice of Jesus and his call. We are also responsible to help support and remind those around us of Jesus and how He might be calling them. Once we are aware of our gifts and the gifts of those around us, we must join hands and work side by side to accomplish God’s plan is together. Although we each have a particular call to follow Christ, and He gives us particular gifts, we best live as His disciples when we follow Him on the road together.
"Heavenly Father, you bless us with many gifts. Your Son Jesus is your greatest gift, and He calls us to follow Him. Through Your Holy Spirit, give us the ears to hear the call of Your Son, and may we join with one another to use the gifts you have given us to share your message of love. May our lives of humble service bring your kingdom to fulfillment, and may You always be glorified by all that we do. We pray this through Christ, our LORD. AMEN."
Marylynn Herchline