We Are Jesus’ Disciples Today
Introduction
A word about the books of Samuel. After the confused times of the settlement in Palestine comes a more stable era with the kings. This period is important because the very vague “salvation” described earlier, – a land of their own for the Hebrews, their growth as a people – turns now into messianism on the basis of the kingship of David: an ideal king will come in whom the promises will be fulfilled. Jesus, descendant of David, will found the eternal kingdom promised to David. In today’s and subsequent readings, Samuel appears as the prophet who prepares the foundation of a Hebrew kingdom. Only a king can unify and defend the people.
In the Gospel, Jesus begins to preach the coming of the kingdom of God among people. He calls for penance and conversion and chooses his first disciples. These same words are addressed to us today: “Repent, be converted, be fishers of people for the kingdom.”
1 Reading: 1 Samuel 1:1-8
There was a man from Ramathaim, in the hills of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah. He was son of Tohu, son of Jeroham, of the clan of Zuph. He had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah had children but Hannah had none. Every year Elkanah went to worship and to sacrifice to Yahweh of Hosts at Shiloh. The priests there were the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phineas. Whenever Elkanah offered sacrifice, he gave portions to his wife, Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters. To Hannah, however, he gave the more delightful portion because he loved her more, although she had no child. Yet Hannah’s rival used to tease her for being barren. So it happened every year when they went to Yahweh’s house, Peninnah irritated Hannah and she would weep and refuse to eat. Once Elkanah, her husband, asked her, “Hannah, why do you weep instead of eating? Why are you sad? Are you not better off with me than with many sons?”
Responsorial Psalm 116:121-13, 14-17, 18-19
R. To you, O Lord, I will offer you a sacrifice of praise.
What shall I return to the Lord
for all his goodness to me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the Lord. R.
I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people.
Precious in the sight of the Lord
is the death of his faithful servants. R.
Truly I am your servant, Lord;
I serve you just as my mother did;
you have freed me from my chains.
I will sacrifice a thank offering to you
and call on the name of the Lord. R.
I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people,
in the courts of the house of the Lord—
in your midst, Jerusalem. R.
Verse before the Gospel: Mark 1:15
The Kingdom of God is at hand;
Repent and believe in the Gospel
Gospel: Mark 1:14-20
After John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee and began preaching the Good News of God. He said, “The time has come; the kingdom of God is at hand. Change your ways and believe the Good News.” As Jesus was walking along the shore of Lake Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net in the lake, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” At once, they abandoned their nets and followed him. Jesus went a little farther on and saw James and John, the sons of Zebedee; they were in their boat mending their nets. Immediately, Jesus called them and they followed him, leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men.
Commentary
The call that the disciples of Jesus received differs from that of Samuel. His life story begins in today’s first reading. The Samuel story is an impressive one of a man who was singularly upright throughout his life. Born of a formerly childless marriage, he was the son of the faith-filled Hannah and a concerned father, Elkanah. He was raised within the precincts of a major sanctuary, in an atmosphere of piety and respect. As we shall see in the follow-up reading tomorrow, Hannah pleads with God for a child. Her prayer is marked by perseverance, even, as we see today, she bears the reproach of her husband’s second wife. What is striking is the confidence of her prayer.
The disciples of Jesus on the Sea of Galilee respond to their call with a sense of immediacy. Their response is decisive, while Hannah’s journey of faith lasted many years. For a Hebrew woman to be childless was little better than being accursed. The fulfillment of her call to be the mother of a prophet was slow in coming, but her longing never wavered. While we admire the sons of Zebedee for their resolute action, our hearts are with Hannah, for whom the call seemed so delayed
Blessing
The time is now. Repent and believe the good news. Come and follow me. Be my disciples. Jesus spoke these words long ago. He addresses them here and now to us. May we heed these words, with the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!