The trade of Fishing in the Kingdom of God

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season  : 3rd Week: Sunday*

*Gospel : Mk 1:14-20*

*First Reading : Jon 3:1-5, 10*

*SECOND READING - 1 Cor 7:29-31*

*The trade of Fishing in the Kingdom of God*

*1) Jesus called Fishermen*

Today's Gospel speaks about the call o first disciples 

Jesus called His first disciples from the sea of Galilee, who were busy in catching the Fish 

Peter, Andrew, James and John are the First Disciples, who were expert fishermen 

*2) Things needed for Fishing*

First of all they should have a boat for fishing 

Secondly they need and strong net, which can be used for fishing 

Thirdly there should be a sea with verity of fish, which can be used for fishing 

Fourthly one should know the art of fishing to catch the huge amount of Fish 

*3) Fishers of Men*

The disciples here a strange concept from Jesus. They hear Jesus saying *Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.*

The fishermen might have wondered about the new trade, which involves the fishing of men 

How to treat human being as fish, might have been the big question to the disciples

But Jesus teaches them this new trade 

*4) How to catch men?*

Like catching the fish from the sea, Jesus will teach them to catch men 

In the kingdom of God, fishing the men would imply the following things

*Sea* - is this vast world 

*Fish* is nothing but the billions of people in the World 

*Boat* Jesus can be considered as the boat, who can carry us to catch the Fish

*Net* The net represents a tool which is needed to catch the fish. The net of love, sacrifice, humility, forgiveness, sharing, simplicity, prayer could the possible effective nets to catch the men 

*5) Invitation to becomes fishers of Men*

Jesus who called the first four  disciples, from the fisheries folk, today still Jesus calls each and everyone of us to becomes fishers of men 

With Gospel values or Gospel tool, one can become an effective, fishermen, for the sake of Jesus 

Am I ready to follow Jesus and to become an effective, tool in his hands to become fishers of men? 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*