Post-feast of the Transfiguration; Holy Venerable-Martyr Dometius (360- 63)
Dormition Fast
Read
2 Corinthians 5:15-21; Mark 1:16-22
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
Have you ever had a chance to talk to someone about your faith in Jesus Christ? I would dare say that many would find this a daunting task in today’s milieu. Perhaps it’s a fear that we might be rejected by our family and peers; perhaps it’s that we don’t know how to share our faith so that it may be received by others. Today’s Gospel makes it clear, though, we ARE to tell others of the Good News (fishers of men) and Jesus gives us the way in which we should make this sharing.
The call of Simon and Andrew, and James and John is not a call to apply only their skills as fishermen on people but to transfer that love and that passion of fishing to something greater. All they needed was to become disciples of Jesus – “follow me.” That same call is made to each of us at Baptism. The Lord has given each of us many talents and skills. While we hone them throughout our lives, we are also to learn to take that love and passion and transfer it in sharing the Good News. If you are a plumber, then be a GREAT plumber out of love of Jesus. If you are a teacher, then be a GREAT teacher out of love of Jesus. Strive for excellence in loving by striving to be excellent in our day to day tasks and lives.
The Gospel states that people were amazed at the authority with which Jesus taught. Jesus does not speak down to people; rather, His authority is spoken with a GREAT LOVE for those who heard Him, a love that eventually extended to His great sacrifice on the Cross for us, and His glorious Resurrection. We are called to share the Good News in the same fashion, with great love for those who are listening. That is true evangelization.