Jesus fulfills the work of new creation and His work requires human collaboration. He is the perfect manifestation of God’s love, a sign par excellence of the invisible God. He is the fulfillment of the longing and yearning of the people of Israel and of the whole humanity. He comes to unite the whole world and to gather the lost tribes of Israel. This is also the work of the Church, to bring people back to God. The Church is the physical presence of Christ in our tormented world today. In the Gospel of Matthew (4:12-23), the Evangelist narrates that John the Baptist had been arrested. It signals the beginning of the public ministry of Jesus. He takes the lead in announcing the Kingdom of God. He said, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” The word repent comes from the Greek word, metanoia, which means radical change of mind and heart, a new direction, turning around and turning back. Repentance is a consequence not a condition for the kingdom because the kingdom is a gift to be accepted with gratitude shown in a new mind and heart. It is a daily dying and rising to new life. It is radical conversion and conversion is a lifelong commitment. It is a deep involvement in doing God’s work. Jesus is the kingdom of heaven in person. He is the good news in person. He inaugurates the kingdom of God. The word kingdom comes from the Greek word, basileia, which means reign, kingship. It is in a relationship of loving submission to the kingship and reign of God. The kingdom has come near in the person of Jesus. It is a place where God rules. It is not defined by geography but by hearts given over to God’s rule. Jesus calls the first apostles, Peter, James, John and Andrew. They are the inner circle of Jesus. They are ordinary fishermen to highlight not ability but great availability. He said, “I will make you fishers of men.” It is a metaphor that signifies partnership with God, to bring people back to God. They left their boat, nets and their father to highlight the spirit of detachment and to put Jesus above all else. Christian discipleship is commitment to the person of Jesus not to an idea or ideology. It is an invitation to a deep and profound relationship with Him so that we have the same mind and heart of Jesus. Jesus creates a new family that does the will of the Father. It is a new family that transcends blood bonds and family ties. All are family, all are children of the Father, all are brothers and sisters, all are sons and daughters of the Father. We are called to be imitators of Christ. He is a teacher and healer who brings light wherever there is darkness and brings joy wherever there is illness. He is the Source of unity, Founder of the New Israel and Savior of humankind. We are called therefore to imitate the total self giving love of Jesus.
FISHERS OF MEN
