| Reading 1 | Response | Reading 2 | Gospel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jon 3:1-5, 10 | Ps 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9 | 1 Cor 7:29-31 | Mk 1:14-20 |
Discipleship: hearing and immediately acting
During Ordinary time the Lectionary presents stories and teachings from Jesus’ everyday ministry. This week’s readings focus again on discipleship.
The first reading is from the story of Jonah, written after the exiles’ return. This book is better understood as a fictional work with humorous and ironic elements, possibly a parable or satire. In today’s pericope, God charges Jonah with warning the gentile Ninevites: “Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed.” To Jonah’s surprise, the people immediately trust (“believe in”) God’s word, begin fasting, and “put on sackcloth” (indicating repentance and change). The Ninevites’ actions change God’s mind/heart (metanoia), and God does not destroy them. The Lectionary editors chose this reading because it shares the word metanoia (“change of mind/heart”) with today’s gospel.
The second reading is a continuation of Ordinary time’s semi-continuous reading from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian ekklesia. In today’s pericope, Paul repeats his eschatological perspective (“the time is running out”), but also knows the Corinthians face life’s daily realities. They live in tension between the now (“marrying,” “weeping,” “rejoicing,” “buying, “using the world”) and the not yet (not marrying, not weeping, not rejoicing, not owning, not using the world fully). Christ’s death and resurrection show that the eschatological future has already begun (“the world in its present form is passing away”). Paul urges them not to become too attached or immersed in a world that is passing away, so that they might live in peace and tranquility. The Lectionary editors chose this reading as part Ordinary time’s semi-continuous reading from 1 Corinthians.
Mark’s gospel has two parts: a summary of Jesus’ proclamation and the story of Jesus calling his first disciples. Jesus’ proclamation requires a response; his personal call of Simon and Andrew, and James and John show correct responses to discipleship.
- Jesus’ proclamation. Jesus tells his hearers two things: “the time is now; God’s kingdom is near.” First, God’s promised messianic age starts now. Second, God’s kingdom is near, both “physically close” and “near in time.” The kingdom is near in Jesus’ physical presence, and God’s reign is already beginning in Jesus’ preaching, which announces and describes God’s kingdom.
- Hearer’s required actions. Jesus’ proclamation requires that his hearers do two things: “change your hearts/minds; believe in the good news.” First, hearers must turn their hearts and minds (metanoia) toward God and away from everything else. Second, hearers must believe or trust in God’s good news of salvation. This belief is not simply intellectual assent, but personal commitment and action.
- Example responses. Jesus personally calls the disciples to follow him. Their actions correspond to a hearer’s required action on hearing Jesus proclamation: the time is now and the kingdom is near. They turn towards God (“followed him”) and turn away from everything else (“immediately abandoned the nets,” “immediately left their father”). Simon, Andrew, James, and John are models of how to answer Jesus’ call to discipleship.
This week’s readings ask us to think some more about our own calling and our own response to discipleship. In the Jonah story, the Ninevites’ actions change God’s mind and heart and receive God’s mercy. Paul urges the Corinthians not to become so attached to this world that they miss the coming world of God’s reign. Mark recounts Jesus proclamation and challenge, and shows how a true disciple responds. Discipleship begins with Jesus’ call to continuous change. Do we trust that God’s kingdom is real here and now, or something in the hazy future? Do we answer Jesus’ personal call immediately, or as something we can get to later? Does God’s gospel invite us to continuing metanoia, or do we consider discipleship a one-time choice?
—Terence Sherlock
The Lectionary In Context 