Thoughts on Sunday’s Lessons for Jan. 21, 2018
The Calling of Saints Peter and Andrew (c.1603–1606). Oil painting by Caravaggio (1571-1610); Royal Collection, Hampton Court Palace, London. (Click image to enlarge.)
God’s love is steadfast and strong. Even whenever we do wrong, when we repent, return and hear God’s good news, God is quick to forgive and to welcome us back. Our first reading is a brief passage from the familiar story of Jonah, the reluctant prophet, who ran away from God’s call to prophesy to the people of Nineveh. Jonah has just been spewed out on the beach by the giant fish that God sent to bring him back. Now he’s ready to cooperate, and his brisk prophecy has great effect: The people of this great city put on sackcloth, fast and repent, and God shows mercy and forgives them.
Psalm: Psalm 62: 6-14
Wait, hope, trust in God. Do not be shaken: when all else fails, God remains our strong rock and our refuge. Our faith and hope in God’s power and steadfast love will be rewarded. Trust in God alone, the Psalmist tells us over and over again. No one else can be trusted. “On the scales they are lighter than a breath.” But God is always there, always holding the power, always ready to repay us all according to our good deeds.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 7: 29-31
Much like last week’s second reading, Paul’s instructions to the Christians of Corinth sound daunting and harsh. Give up our husbands and wives? Don’t buy possessions, mourn our dead or rejoice our victories? This passage demonstrates why there is no point in reading Paul’s directions to his First Century flock as if they should bind our activity in the 21st. Consider the context of Paul’s times: He was certain that this world was passing away as the Kingdom of God drew near; he was sure that Christ was coming back very soon, bringing a new way of life. Nothing was more important than that; not husbands and wives, not mourning or joy.
Gospel: Mark 1:14-20
John has been arrested by Herod and soon will be martyred, and Jesus, just back from the 40-day fast in the desert that followed his baptism by John, has taken over John’s call to proclaim repentance from sin and to declare the good news of God’s kingdom. Then we hear Mark’s account of Jesus calling his first disciples. They all follow him immediately without any discussion or question – yes, Jesus was that charismatic – and the long journey to the cross and resurrection begins.