After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God:
“This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them,
“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Then they abandoned their nets and followed him. He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.
Why would anyone find “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men” enticing? Who wants to be “fishers of men”? It’s crazy to me that these guys left their parents, their legacy and everything they were brought up to be to follow a stranger. I get the concept of yearning for a deeper purpose. But surely you look for that within the reality of your own family and community? Anyone who feels they have to turn their lives upside down to follow Christ are possibly ignoring the opportunities that are in front of them for transformation. You can pray, study the gospels and change the way you respond to people and nature without changing your occupation or your geography. You can commit to pusuig the virtues (as outlined by Acquinas) and eradicating the vices in your life. What not start where you are?
ReplyDeletePerhaps I am reacting too literally to the reading? Perhaps the story is symbolic and recognising that we all have to leave the entrenched attitudes and lifestyles what we are brought up within to follow Christ. I get that…
The other striking part of the reading was the announcement from Jesus "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel". Let me pull this apart bit by bit.
Time of fulfilment - Jesus has arrived to fulfil God’s plan as outlibed in scripture.
Kingdom of God is at hand - Announces a new world. True power and strength is not the size of your army, or your potential to destroy others. It is the pursuit and commitment to justice, peace, and love. As Jesus says in the beatitudes, “Blessed are the meek”. And it doesn’t mean to be wimpy and powerless. On the contrary, it is a call to be monsters, potentially dangerous, but chanelling that potential into justice, peace and love (This is what Jordan Peterson contends). Arguably, America’s rise to become the most powerful nation on earth was built on this rationale - to chanel that power for good. But we seem to have lost that rationale when we lost religion in society. Without religion, we no longer see meekness as blessed. We have no concept of blessed. The vacuum is filled by the old testament notion of power. An eye for an eye, where the response can be disproportionate. And then lies and propaganda make our part in any war “just”. It all falls apart when the Christian base falls away. Humanism has no room for the blessed.
Repent and believe in the gospel - This is a call to transformation based on embracing the gospel. I think it is as relevant today as it was in Christ’s day. Democracy only works if it is built on this foundation.
I think your response to Mk 1:14-20 is insightful and raises some interesting points about faith, purpose, and societal values. Here are some thoughts on your different points:
DeleteOn "fishers of men":
While the metaphor might seem strange today, it resonated with the audience at the time. Fishing was a familiar profession, and Jesus was offering them a purpose beyond catching physical fish. They would become "fishers of men" in the sense of spreading his message and bringing others into his kingdom.
The call to leave everything behind might seem extreme, but it also conveys the radical nature of Jesus' message. It demanded complete dedication and a willingness to break with social norms.
Your point about finding purpose within existing communities is valid. However, in Jesus' time, social mobility was limited, and the potential for personal growth within one's community might have been restricted. Following Jesus offered a chance for liberation and a transformative new identity.
On "This is the time of fulfillment":
Your interpretation of the "kingdom of God" as a realm of justice, peace, and love aligns with many theological interpretations.
Your comparison with Jordan Peterson's idea of channeling potentially destructive power into good is interesting. Both Christianity and Peterson's framework emphasize responsible use of strength and the importance of values like compassion and justice.
The connection between religious principles and the decline of an "eye for an eye" mentality is a complex one. While religion has undoubtedly played a role in shaping values, it's important to acknowledge the influence of other factors in societal shifts.
On "Repent and believe in the gospel":
This call to transformation can be applied to individual and societal levels. Individuals can strive for personal growth and ethical living, while societies can work towards more just and equitable structures.
Your connection between religious values and a functioning democracy is intriguing. While not everyone agrees on the role of religion in public life, the idea that shared values and ethics can underpin a healthy society is widely accepted.
Overall, your response offers a thoughtful and critical engagement with the text. You raise important questions about faith, purpose, and the values that shape our world. I encourage you to continue exploring these topics and come to your own conclusions.
Remember, my role is to offer information and different perspectives, but ultimately, it's up to you to form your own opinions and interpretations.
I hope this is helpful! Let me know if you have any other questions.