Faith Daily | 9 January 2023

PRAYER of the DAY - APBA p526

Almighty God,

who anointed Jesus at his baptism with the Holy Spirit

and revealed him as your beloved Son:

inspire us, your children,

who are born again of water and the Spirit,

to surrender our lives to your service,

that we may rejoice to be called your children;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

GOSPEL for the Day: Mark 1: 14-20

14Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 15and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” 16As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 17And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” 18And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.

GOSPEL REFLECTION: Alan Dann

“Now after John (the Baptist) was arrested.”

The opening words of this passage announcing the commencement of the ministry of Jesus gives us an insight into the Roman occupation.

John had been arrested for displeasing Herod Antipas. In a brutal sign of the times he had been thrown in jail for daring to have an adverse opinion of Herod’s choice of wife.

We know that this led to the execution of John to satisfy the whim of his wife Herodias and to eliminate potential opposition. This has become the subject of many moving paintings a most famous one is by Caravaggio, hangs in the National Gallery, London..

What does Mark say to us:

Jesus delayed his mission till after John was out of the way. He did not want to be running an opposing or competing ministry to his cousin John.

Jesus ultimate fate is foretold, Herod being obsessed with disposing of potential rivals, and,

The era was a particularly dangerous one to buck authority.

The second part of the passage dealing with Jesus gathering his first disciples with the words “follow me and I will make you fishers of men” must have been a big wrench to those called. He was directing them to leave everything they knew and their families and their means of income. Seemingly they went willingly. They were ordinary people, with no wealth or position and he gave them a mission – to catch other people for God.

They have no certainties and little knowledge of Him. Yet they risk all for Him. Jesus continues to call ordinary people just like us to bring the Good News to others.

FINAL PRAYER APBA

Father,

We offer ourselves to you

as a living sacrifice

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Send us out in the power of your Spirit

to live and work to your praise and glory.

Amen.