Word to the Wise
Sunday, January 27, 2008 - Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
[Isaiah 8:23 - 9:3; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13:17; Matthew 4:12-17]Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.
What is it about certain personalities that they seem to immediately attract followers who develop an almost fanatical devotion to that person? Sometimes the message this person communicates resonates with deeply and widely held convictions which have not found a way of expression. Such charismatic figures can play on deep resentments or ethnic differences which can catapult the figures into positions of power and prestige. The figure may seem improbable (many underestimated the charismatic power of Hitler) or the cause outlandish until suddenly (or so it seems) the figure and his/her movement are IN power and things begin to happen. On a smaller scale, most of us have had the experience of putting our trust in a leader who seems to know the direction that needs to be taken in a group. (Lord knows, we are being bombarded by media stuff about candidates who want us to follow THEM by voting for them!). In Jesus' day, a rabbi who wanted to share his knowledge and faith had to gather a following. The gospel picks up Jesus' initial efforts. Jesus walks up to a group of fishermen, invites them to join in his ministry, and they just leave everything to follow him! Given the strength of family and clan loyalties in Middle Eastern society, the action of James and John is remarkable because they leave their father, Zebedee! Peter and Andrew, James and John, are all invited to be a part of this message: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." He doesn't say, "Come and let's take over the country or the world." He doesn't offer a scheme to make more money. In fact, later on Peter is to ask, "Behold, we have left everything to follow you. What is to be our reward?" He asks this in response to Jesus' admonition to the rich young man that he must sell or give away everything, if he wished to be perfect, and then follow Jesus. To join in the work of preaching repentance for the sake of the kingdom requires dedication instead of ambition, sacrifice instead of prestige or self-promotion. St. Paul strongly criticizes the factionalism in the Corinthian community which is based on individuals other than Christ. Ambition in church matters is a well-known fault and those who succumb to it can do a great deal of harm. Jesus' call to repentance and the preaching of it offers little in the way of power and prestige. He offers the cross and persecution! If we join and become "fishers of men" we accept the uncertainty that goes with that ministry. That call did not stop with the first disciples. It rings down through the centuries to each of us who are baptized. What is it about Jesus that inspired those disciples to "sign on?" What has our baptism and profession of faith done to inspire us to follow Jesus? Why is he so attractive? AMEN
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