Sunday, January 26, 2003
3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

1st Reading: Jon 3:1-5, 10

The word of Yahweh came to Jonah a second time: "Go to Nineveh, the great city, and announce to them the message I give you."

In obedience to the word of Yahweh, Jonah went to Nineveh. It was a very large city, and it took three days just to cross it. So Jonah walked a single day's journey and began proclaiming, "Forty days more and Nineveh will be destroyed."

The people of the city believed God. They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.

When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not carry out the destruction he had threatened upon them.

2nd Reading: 1 Cor 7:29-31

Brothers and sisters, time is running out, and those who are married must live as if not married; those who weep as if not weeping; those who are happy as if they were not happy; those buying something as if they had not bought it, and those enjoying the present life as if they were not enjoying it.

For the order of this world is vanishing.

Gospel: Mk 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 left 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.

Gospel Commentary

"The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time." This is, of course, because, the first time around, Jonah fled from the Lord, refusing the mission to preach repentance to Nineveh. But the Lord pursued him, through the dramatic storm, which resulted in Jonah's being cast overboard, and through the great fish, which swallowed the reluctant prophet and spewed him on the soil of Nineveh. Here he stands, in today's reading, freshly regurgitated, now attentive to the Word that missions him. By way of contrast, the disciples Jesus calls need no second invitation. All of them,-Peter, Andrew, James and John-left everything immediately to follow Jesus. Or so it seems. For, after a few years, they all will need a second time for the word of the Lord to come to them. Now, since they are not yet fully aware of the cost of following Jesus, they are enthusiastic. Later, when the cross looms, they will abandon and deny him. But the word of the Lord does come to them a second time, speaking of peace, recommisioning them to service and witness. Praise the God then whose missioning word comes a second, a third, a fourth time to send reluctant prophets and renew the call of wavering disciples!

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Read also these beautiful: Gospel Reflections by Fr. Gerry Pierse, C.Ss.R. • Biblical Commentaries from Diario Biblio

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