FISHERS OF MEN
(A biblical refection on the THIRD ORDINARY SUNDAY [YEAR B], 21 January 2018)
Gospel Reading: Mark 1:14-20
First Reading: Jonah 3:1-5,10; Psalms: Psalm 25:4-9; Second Reading: 1Corinthians 7:29-31
The Scripture Text
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand, repent, and believe in the Gospel.”
And passing along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed Him. And going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and followed Him. (Mark 1:14-20 RSV)
Since Jesus lived near the Sea of Galilee, a fishing hot spot of the ancient world, He had many friends and acquaintances who were fishermen. Some of the twelve apostles, too, fished for a living.
Because fish was the main source of protein for the people of Palestine, fishing was one of the most common ways of earning a living in New Testament times. Jesus sometimes got the attention of the many fishermen in His audience by relating parables with familiar images. For instance, Jesus once compared the reign of God to a net thrown into the sea (Matthew 3:47-50). This parable and others like it interested the fishermen who came to hear Jesus preach.
Some of our most popular Church symbols came from the fishing experience of the early Christians. One such symbol, a fish, was popular because the first letters of the Greek words, “Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Savior” (iesous christos theou huios soter) spell out the Greek word for fish. This symbol played a very important role in the growth of the Church.
Because the Roman authorities often put Christians to death for their faith, Christians had to take precautions so a spy would not come to one of their meetings, find out who all the Christians were, and then turn them in for a reward. Therefore, a person who desired baptism first had to contact someone he thought was a Christian. While talking, this person would use a toe to draw half a fish in the sand. If the other person was indeed a Christian, this individual would complete the drawing as a sign it was safe to speak freely. The Christian would introduce the new person to the rest of the community of believers only after determining the individuals was not a spy.
Because part of an anchor formed the shape of a cross, it also became a popular Christian symbol. The early followers of Jesus often attached an anchor to the outside door of the house where they were celebrating the Eucharist so other Christians could more easily find the place where they were meeting.
Jesus took advantage of the fishing skills of the apostles to do such things as sail across the sea instead of walking around it. Let us ask ourselves: What skills do we possess that Jesus can use to make His Gospel known today?
Source: Jerome J. Sabatowich, Cycling Through the Gospels – Gospel Commentaries for Cycles A, B, and C, pages 162-163.)
Short Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for making me one of Your disciples, to reach out with Your message of Love to others. Lord, teach me to love others according to Your will. Amen.